Kids’ COVID shots now available

The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is now scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11.

November 11, 2021 - 9:41 AM

Christiana Neri holds her 13-year-old son Ivan Hernandez as Sequoia Hutton administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on May 14, 2021, in Los Angeles. Children ages 5 to 11 had not been eligible for the vaccine until Tuesday. Photo by Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / TNS

Local youngsters ages 5-11 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department Director Rebecca Johnson announced Wednesday parents can begin scheduling vaccinations for their children by calling the local health department at 620-365-2191.

The CDC officially recommended the Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds last week, marking the first time Americans younger than 12 are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

The vaccine is given in a two-dose series, with the second dose to be given at least 21 days after the first.

Only Pfizer has been approved for 5- to 17-year-olds, Johnson said.

There is no recommendation at this time for a booster for this age group.