11-4-21 Children ages 5-11 now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, first clinic scheduled for Nov. 10

Haywood County -- For Immediate Release — November 4, 2021

Haywood County Health Department  Children ages 5-11 now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, first clinic scheduled for Nov. 10

As of Tuesday, November 2, 2021, the CDC now recommends that children ages 5-11 receive a safe, and effective pediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Haywood County Health and Human Services will begin initial vaccinations for children by hosting a special after-hours pediatric COVID vaccine clinic at the health department (157 Paragon Pkwy #800, Clyde) on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, from 4 -7 p.m. 

Parents and guardians should call 828-356-2019 to schedule an appointment for their children.

Things to know:

If the child has health insurance coverage, bring the child’s insurance card to the clinic
Only one parent/guardian per child will be permitted into the clinic
Masks are required for clinic participants, both parents and children
The vaccine is administered as a primary 2-dose series, 21 days apart
 

The vaccine dose in children ages 5 to 11 is 10-micrograms. This is one-third of the dose given to adults and children 12 and older. The lower dose was chosen to minimize side effects but still prompt a strong immune response, according to the vaccine manufacturers.

Data presented to the FDA by the drug companies showed that the vaccine was 90.7% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The antibody response to the vaccine was comparable to the one seen in people 16 to 25 years old.

There were no safety concerns or serious side effects noted in the clinical trials. Temporary side effects for kids 5–11 are similar to older kids and adults and may include a sore arm, headache and being tired or achy for a day or so.  

More than 3,000 children ages 5–11 participated in the trials with volunteers from different races and ethnicities. This is comparable to the number included in many similar clinical trials with children. 

Everyone ages 5 and older can receive a free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, even if they don’t have health insurance and regardless of their immigration status.

For unvaccinated adults and children ages 12 +, primary and booster doses of COVID-19 are available on a walk-in basis during Health Department business hours. To schedule a COVID-19 booster during normal business hours, please call 828-356-2019. 

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, talk to your primary health care provider and read CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/your-vaccination.html

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