A pediatric formulation of the Pfizer BioNTech covid vaccine has been approved by the FDA and the CDC for use in children ages 5-11y. Our clinic recommends this vaccine for all children age 5 through 11. There is great excitement around this opportunity to protect our young children from COVID. However, supply will be limited at first. Our order for the vaccine has been placed and we hope for receipt around November 15-17. A notification will be placed on our website and sent via email once we have received vaccine and are ready to schedule appointments. Please wait to call until we send out notification that we are ready to schedule. We are not offering a wait list.
Our staff has been working very hard during the pandemic and we will not be able to hold weekend clinics for COVID vaccinations at this time. We will have hours in the mornings when appointments can be made. We will also be able to vaccinate children already coming in for their well child appointments. The supply is expected to improve over time. Everyone will have an opportunity to get this important vaccine.
Children can receive this vaccine along with any other vaccine without time restraints. The side effects seen in the study of the vaccine were minimal and typical of other childhood vaccines that we give routinely. The vaccine was 90% effective at preventing COVID. The vaccine is both safe and effective. This is especially true given the alternative which is COVID disease. The Delta variant is highly contagious and anyone not vaccinated is almost certain to become infected at some point in time. Though children tolerate COVID infection well, some otherwise healthy kids become severely ill and COVID has become one of the leading causes of death in childhood.
We are happy to provide this vaccine for your children in this age group. However, if our times that are available do not work for you, please know there are other options on where you can obtain this vaccine. Many schools, pharmacies, and Seattle Children’s are offering.
Seattle Children’s website is https://mychart.seattlechildrens.org/mychart/COVID19#/
UW COVID-19 Vaccine Updates & Information | UW Medicine has a waitlist. 844 520 8700
The Washington State finder is: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/ Can filter for the Pfizer 5-11y vaccine.
Our staff is here to help, and we are doing the best we can. Please keep this in mind when calling in for an appointment or nurse call. Thank you!
