Finally, It's The Kids' Turn
County to Host Afterschool COVID-19 Vaccination Mobile Clinics at Public Schools Starting November 8
The moment many parents have waited for has come. At long last, the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages five to 11. To assist parents in getting their children vaccinated, the Prince George’s County Health Department, in partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools, released a schedule of new vaccination clinics for five- to 11-year-olds.
The vaccine for this age group is a lower dose of the Pfizer BioNTech mRNA brand that the CDC states will give great protection (nearly 91% effectiveness) to the child as well as protect the health of their families, friends and community, and allows them to continue with their in-person schooling.
The clinics, to be held at County high schools, will vaccinate residents ages five and older starting Monday, November 8 (see schedule). An additional list of mobile clinics operating at County elementary schools will be announced shortly.
COVID-19 vaccinations at the school mobile clinics will be free and available to any eligible County resident. Clinics will operate at multiple schools each day Monday through Friday during afterschool hours through mid-December (additional dates and locations may be added) for first doses and second doses. Families are encouraged to take their children to the nearest school providing the vaccine. Each clinic will have Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine supply available; the two-dose Pfizer vaccine is currently the only vaccine the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized for use in children ages five to 11.
The County’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Sports and Learning Complex will also provide vaccines to individuals five and older; walk-ins are accepted.
Walk-ins will also be accepted at the school mobile clinics but appointments are encouraged. Appointment scheduling for five- to 11-year-old vaccinations will be available soon.
Individuals younger than 18 receiving vaccinations must have a parent or legal guardian complete the appropriate consent form and bring it to the clinic.
“As a pediatrician and a father, I know how critical vaccines have been for decades to protect children and those around them from a variety of infectious diseases,” said Prince George’s County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education Dr. George L. Askew. “County adolescents and teenagers have done a fantastic job so far getting protected against COVID-19 as approximately 68% of our 12- to 19-year-olds have received at least one dose. When the CDC gives the green light for the five-to-11 age group, we encourage parents and legal guardians to get their children vaccinated to protect them from severe illness and death, as well as from possible long-lasting COVID symptoms and side effects if they are infected.”
Free COVID-19 vaccines for eligible children will also be available at many pediatricians’ offices, retail and grocery store pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers across the County. Find nearby clinics by using the County’s vaccine clinic locator at mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine.
“The Health Department understands parents and legal guardians may have many questions about vaccinating children,” said Prince George’s County Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter, who is also a pediatrician and a father. “All vaccines in use in the U.S. must pass rigorous safety and efficacy tests. The County is committed to working with our local medical and public health professionals and our trusted community voices to inform parents and children that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is safe and greatly increases their chances of staying healthy and alive if they become infected.”
Source: News Flash, Prince George’s County Portal
