JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — What local health authorities referred to as a “gamechanger” in the fight against COVID has finally come about. Kids are now eligible for the jab.
After authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on November 2, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized and recommended for children 5 to 11 years of age.
“As a local pediatrician I am excited that the COVID-19 vaccine for this age group was approved and is shown to be safe and effective after rigorous testing and evaluation,” stated Dr. Travis Riddell, Teton District health officer. “Though children are less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 compared to adults, they still face a risk. By vaccinating this portion of Teton County’s population, we hope that the spread of COVID-19 slows and that this age group is protected against both severe acute illness and the long-term effects of COVID-19.”
Nationwide, polls show parents are fairly evenly divided on whether they want their children getting vaccinated. About 1/3 say they will right away. Another 1/3 say they will take a ‘wait and see’ approach. A final 1/3 said they will not have their kids get the shot.
Teton County Health Department will host COVID-19 vaccine clinics specially for children 5–11 years old due to the different vaccine storage and preparation requirements. Two shots will be needed with a booster recommended about 3 weeks after the initial jab. The vaccinations are of a lower dose than those available for adults.
Current dates for COVID-19 Vaccine clinics for children 5-11 years old are:
- Thursday, November 11, 2021 – 10:0am to 6:45pm
- Saturday, November 13, 2021 – 8:30am to 3:45pm
- Thursday, November 18, 2021 – 10:00am to 6:45pm
Appointments can be made online or by calling our Call Center at (307) 732-8628. More information on additional clinics and options for children 5–11 years old to receive a COVID-19 vaccination will be communicated once finalized.
Parents and guardians are required to accompany the child to their vaccine appointment. For those scheduling multiple children for vaccine appointments, each child needs their own appointment time. TCHD will not be able to accommodate any other COVID-19 vaccine appointments during the clinics for children 5-11 years old.
A dose of Pfizer for young children contains one-third the amount of active ingredient compared to the adult dose. Parents and guardians should consult their healthcare provider or family physician for additional guidance or questions they have regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old.
