Covid Vaccine for Children: Pfizer Approved for Kids 5-12

Nov 09, 2021

On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children ages 5 through 11. The authorization was based on the FDA’s thorough and transparent evaluation of the data that included input from independent advisory committee experts who overwhelmingly voted in favor of making the vaccine available to children in this age group.

Is the vaccine safe for kids?

Yes, the Covid vaccine for children is safe.

U.S. regulators authorized the Pfizer vaccine for kids after millions of 12 to 17-year-olds already safely got the shot, the only one available for children in the country currently. Those ages 5 to 11 will get a third of the dose given to teens and adults. Studies showed that the Pfizer vaccine for kids is roughly 91% effective against COVID-19. The immune system response to the vaccine, as measured by antibodies, was comparable to the response seen in 16 to 25-year-olds.

The Pfizer vaccine for kids under 12 is administered in 2 doses, 3 weeks apart.

Throughout the pandemic, there have been more than 8,300 children ages 5 to 11 hospitalized with COVID-19. More than 2,300 children in this age group have gotten a related illness called MIS-C, a severe condition that affects multiple organs and can be fatal. The 5-11 age group had the highest number of cases of MIS-C among children.

The Covid vaccine for children is one-third the adult dose. The lower dose was chosen to minimize side effects and still produce strong immunity. It is now readily available at many child vaccine locations.

Vaccinations of 5 to 11-year-olds starting this month could potentially prevent 600,000 cases of COVID-19 by March of 2022, according to CDC models.

Where can my child get the Covid vaccine?

There are many child vaccine locations throughout Wichita, Kansas. Shipments of the Pfizer vaccine for kids started in late October to community health clinics, medical offices, pediatric practices, and other medical organizations. Some school districts have already scheduled vaccination drives in the coming weeks, before the Thanksgiving holiday, though some districts have said they will not be providing the vaccines through schools.

If you are searching for child vaccine locations in Wichita, Kansas — ¡HealthCore Clinic is an official vaccine site and has the Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11, as well as those age 12 and older. To get your child vaccinated, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We also have the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for anyone age 18 and older looking to get vaccinated, get a booster shot, or get their 3rd dose (for those who are immunocompromised).

What do I need to bring to vaccinate my child?

If you are bringing your child age 5 through 11 to a child vaccine location they have not visited before, you will need to bring your ID as well as identification for your child such as a copy of their birth certificate. The same goes for children age 12 and older. This is merely to verify their age and eligibility to receive a Covid vaccine for children. When scheduling your Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11, ask if there is anything additional you should bring.

If you are bringing your child to their regular pediatrician or doctor, they may not need identification for your child since they already have their information on file. The best practice is to ask in advance when scheduling the appointment.

Preparing for child vaccine shot

When the time comes for your little one to get his or her Covid vaccine for children, here are some useful tips about what to expect and how you can prepare.

• Call your child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor and tell them you’re planning to have your child vaccinated. Ask them questions about any concerns you may have.
• Schedule your child’s COVID-19 vaccine appointment at your pediatrician’s office, vaccination clinic, pharmacy, community vaccination site, church or school. Some child vaccine locations may even have walk-in hours.
• Your child can also receive routine shots at the same appointment for the COVID-19 shot. This includes getting an annual influenza (Flu) shot. Ask if your child is caught up on all routine immunizations.
• Talk with your child before the appointment. Many parents may have concerns about how their child might act when they need a shot. But there are simple ways to help make it a positive, calm experience.
• After your child receives their first Covid vaccine for children, schedule the second dose. Make sure that your pediatrician’s office has a copy of the card in your child’s medical record. Your child’s school or college health office also may need a copy of the card. The Pfizer vaccine for kids under 12 requires 2 doses, 3 weeks apart.
• Keep the paper vaccination card you will receive. Don’t laminate the vaccination card, in case more information needs to be added. Take a photo of it or copy it and keep everything in a safe place. To avoid identity theft risk, don’t share a photo of the card on social media.

Scheduling child Covid vaccine for 5-12 year olds

At ¡HealthCore Clinic, we’ve made it easy to schedule the Pfizer vaccine for kids as well as Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for anyone 18 or older. We also have booster shots as well as 3rd dose shots. Simply click the “Schedule A Vaccine” button below to schedule an appointment. We are open Monday through Saturday each week.

If you have been searching for “Child Covid Vaccine Wichita,” HealthCore has you covered!

HealthCore Clinic is located in NE Wichita, conveniently located just east of I-135 on 21st Street. We have been serving Wichita for over 20 years through an integrated care approach, which means our clients have convenient, affordable access to improve their whole health and wellness—with medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services all under one roof!

FAQs

Can 11 year olds get the Covid vaccine?
Yes, anyone age 5 or older can now get the Covid Vaccine. The Covid vaccine for children is the Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11, which is a lower dose than that given to people age 12 and older.

When can a five-year-old get COVID-19 vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all children ages 5 through 11 get a low-dose COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech.

Was there a Pfizer Covid vaccine trial 5-11?
Yes, there have been trials throughout the approval process for all the COVID-19 vaccines at all ages. Pfizer-BioNTech conducted a study of 4,600 children worldwide, of whom approximately 3,100 got the low-dose vaccine and about 1,500 got a placebo.

Was there a Pfizer Covid vaccine trial 12-15?
Yes, there have been trials throughout the approval process for all the COVID-19 vaccines at all ages. Pfizer-BioNTech conducted a study of 2,260 children in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in the US. Their immune response was comparable to that of participants aged 16 to 25.

Is it safe to vaccinate adolescents with the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Covid vaccine for children is safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, which includes studies in adolescents.

What’s the difference between Pfizer and Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?
Pfizer and BioNTech simply formally “branded” or named their vaccine Comirnaty. BioNTech is the German biotechnology company that partnered with Pfizer in bringing their COVID-19 vaccine to market.

How effective is the Pfizer vaccine for kids?
Based on evidence from clinical trials in people 16 years and older, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 95% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in people who received two doses and had no evidence of being previously infected. In the trials for kids age 5-11, Pfizer vaccine for kids is roughly 91% effective against COVID-19.

How can I prevent the spread of COVID-19?
There are many things you and your kids can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as wearing a mask, taking precautions, and most of all — getting vaccinated. To learn more, read our article about the Delta Variant or visit our COVID-19 vaccine resource page.

¿Dónde puedo obtener la vacuna COVID-19?
Visite nuestra página web sobre la vacuna COVID-19 para programar su vacuna. Las vacunas COVID-19 son seguras y efectivas. Juntos, podemos lograr la inmunidad en nuestra comunidad.