How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Raleigh -- December 12, 2022 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Press Release
Most children 6 months to 4 years are now eligible
for their updated COVID-19 vaccine, which protects against COVID-19 variants. These vaccine doses are becoming available in North Carolina this week following the Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation.
"We know parents and families are eager to protect their children from the many viruses going around our state, impacting our youngest North Carolinians," said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "The COVID-19 vaccine and updated dose is an important tool to help protect them."
The updated vaccine is a bivalent vaccine that targets both the original coronavirus strain and Omicron variants. Like previous COVID-19 shots, children 6 months through 4 years get a smaller dose of this updated vaccine than other age groups. Children under 5 should get the same vaccine brand for all recommended doses. Children are eligible for the updated dose of their COVID-19 vaccine if they are:
6 months to 5 years and got their last dose of a Moderna vaccine at least two months ago
6 months to 4 years who already had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and are ready for their third dose
Children 6 months and older may be able to get this updated COVID-19 dose along with other routine vaccines at the same visit. Parents should talk with a health care provider to make sure their child is up to date on COVID-19 and other vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe to take along the annual flu shot.
"More children now have the opportunity to get the most up-to-date protection from COVID-19 to help renew their body's defenses against the virus," said NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr. Susan Kansagra. "Many North Carolinians have already protected themselves and their children from the virus by getting vaccinated. Now is the time to make sure the whole family is up to date so you can continue to have the best protection this winter."
Right now, COVID-19 vaccines are still free to everyone through federal funding, regardless of insurance or immigration status. When federal funding ends, COVID-19 vaccines will be available like flu shots and other routine vaccinations but may no longer be free for everyone. Flu vaccines are often available at little to no cost. Parents and guardians of children who do not have an established health care provider can search for a nearby vaccine provider at MySpot.nc.gov.
North Carolina's actions are based on recommendations from the FDA and CDC. Read the CDC's full statement here.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, or to find locations to get a COVID-19 and flu vaccine, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the CDC-INFO Contact Center at 800-CDC-INFO. For information on testing and treatments, visit MySpot.nc.gov/Treatment.
Most children ages 6 months to 4 years are now eligible to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which protects against variants of COVID-19. These vaccines will be available in North Carolina following emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration and recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We know that parents and families are anxious to protect their children against the many viruses circulating in our state that affect North Carolinians the smallest," said the secretary of the Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. of the North, Kody H. Kinsley. "The COVID-19 vaccine and updated dose are important tools to help protect them."
The updated vaccine is a bivalent vaccine targeting both the original coronavirus strain and Omicron variants. Like previous COVID-19 vaccines, children 6 months to 4 years of age receive a lower dose of the updated vaccine compared to other age groups. Children who are eligible for the updated dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are:
Children 6 months through 5 years of age who received their last dose of a Moderna vaccine at least two months ago; Y,
Children 6 months to 4 years of age who already have two doses of Pfizer's vaccine and are eligible to receive the third dose.
Children 6 months and older can receive this updated dose against COVID-19 along with other routine immunizations during the same visit. Parents should talk to a health care provider to make sure their children are up to date on their COVID-19 and other immunizations. The COVID-19 vaccine can be safely given at the same time as the annual flu vaccine.
"Ahora más niños tienen la oportunidad de obtener la protección más actualizada contra el COVID-19 para ayudar a renovar las defensas de su cuerpo contra el virus", dijo la Dra. Susan Kansagra, subsecretaria de salud pública y oficial de salud del estado del NCDHHS. "Muchos habitantes de Carolina del Norte ya se han protegido a sí mismos y a sus hijos contra el virus al vacunarse. Ahora es el momento de asegurarnos que toda la familia esté al día para que puedan seguir teniendo la mejor protección este invierno".
At this time, COVID-19 vaccines remain free to everyone through federal funds, regardless of insurance or immigration status. When federal funding ends, vaccines against COVID-19 will be available, just like flu shots and other routine vaccinations, but they may no longer be free for everyone. Flu shots are often available at little or no cost. Parents and guardians of children who do not have an established health care provider can visit Vacunate.nc.gov to find an immunization center near you.
North Carolina's actions are based on FDA and CDC recommendations. Read the full CDC statement here.
For more information about vaccines, boosters, or to find flu and COVID-19 vaccination sites, visit Vacunate.nc.gov or call the CDC Information Center at 800-CDC-INFO. For more information on tests and treatments, visit Vaccinate.nc.gov/Treatment.
