COVID Vaccine For Kids Under 12: Where To Get One In Virginia

VIRGINIA — Federal health officials have given the go-ahead to COVID-19 vaccinations for Virginia children ages 5-11, setting off a new, long-awaited phase in the battle against the pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorization for younger children makes about 748,000 Virginia children immediately eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The Virginia Department of Health has been planning for the expansion of vaccine availability to younger children.

The vaccine expansion comes as health experts watch for a repeat of last winter’s surge. Infectious disease modelers from the University of Virginia’s Biocomplexity Institute say there is a chance that new cases could exceed last January’s peak.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for elementary school-aged children, paving the way for inoculations for some 28 million youths across the country.

"Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation's fight against the virus that causes COVID-19," Walensky said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already granted emergency use authorization. Parents can book appointments beginning Saturday at Walgreens and Sunday at CVS across Virginia.

Children's doses are smaller and in different containers. Walgreens said it is expecting shipments to arrive "later this week" but appointments for pediatric vaccinations are already available, NBC4 reported.

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CVS Health announced Wednesday that 55 CVS Pharmacy locations in Virginia are now accepting appointments for the Pfizer pediatric vaccine to children ages five to 11 years of age. Parental or legal guardian consent is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

"We know many parents have been waiting for the opportunity to vaccinate their young children and are looking for convenient access to a trusted resource for vaccinations," said Dr. Troyen A. Brennan, executive vice president and chief medical officer of CVS Health, in a news release. "Our immunizers have been preparing for this important role, and stand ready to help answer parents' questions, guide them and their children through the process, and administer the vaccines safely, with kindness and caring."

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On Saturday, Arlington County Public Health will begin offering free COVID-19 vaccines by appointment to children ages 5–11 years old at Walter Reed Community Center and Arlington Mill Community Center. Clinics designated specifically for this age group will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 in children. This approval is a critical step towards protecting our kids and keeping other vulnerable community members safe. We encourage all parents to get their children vaccinated when they become eligible,” Dr. Reuben Varghese, Arlington County Public Health Director, said in a statement Wednesday.

Appointments for Arlington County Public Health clinics can be made online though the Vaccine Administration Management System. Parents can select the option labeled "Schedule a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointment (age 5-11)." Second dose appointments for children will be scheduled at the time of the first dose.

In the Fredericksburg area, the Rappahannock Area Health District will be offering the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 starting Thursday. Those wishing to get their children vaccinated at the community vaccination center in Central Park, at 1877 Carl D. Silver Pkwy, can make appointments beginning Wednesday. Parents should use the 22401 zip code when making appointments.

The Central Park community vaccination center operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In the early weeks of distribution, vaccine supplies may be limited for this younger age group. Virginia parents can check in with their child’s provider or can find locations for their child to receive their vaccine by visiting www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling (877) VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682.

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