|
For Immediate Release
Date: November 5, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Has Expanded to Children 5 - 11 Years Old
The Health Department encourages parents to get their eligible children vaccinated to protect them from COVID-19
Lake County, Ill. —The Lake County Health Department is excited to announce that the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was expanded to include children aged 5-11.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children and adolescents aged 5 and up, as a 2-dose series administered 3 weeks apart. The dose for children aged 5-11 is one-third of the dosage of the vaccine for older adolescents and adults.
The vaccine has been found to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective at preventing COVID-19 in children aged 5-11. Both the CDC and IDPH recommend that children aged 5 and up get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and others against the virus. The Lake County Health Department anticipates that the pediatric vaccine will soon become more available throughout our community at pharmacies, healthcare providers, and mobile clinics at schools and other sites. We appreciate our community’s patience as the pediatric rollout begins.
“The opportunity for more of our community to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is something to celebrate,” said Mark Pfister, Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department. “I urge parents to get their eligible children vaccinated against COVID-19. Increased protection will be crucial as we head into colder months and many of us start to spend more time indoors.”
The Lake County Health Department encourages parents to explore their options for the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine:
- Contact your child’s pediatrician or your family doctor.
- Check with your local pharmacy.
- Look for communication from your child’s school about upcoming vaccination clinics.
- Register at allvax.lakecohealth.org so that you will be notified when you can schedule an appointment through the Lake County Health Department.
- Visit vaccines.gov to find a provider near you that may have pediatric vaccines available.
The Health Department will begin offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday, November 8, 2021, but appointments will be limited. COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5-11 will be administered at these locations:
Grand Avenue Health Center
3010 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
Midlakes Health Center
224 W Clarendon Drive
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
Please register in AllVax to be notified when you can schedule an appointment for your child at one of these locations. There are over 200 locations in Lake County that you may also schedule an appointment with, so please check with your healthcare provider, pharmacy, or other retail locations.
Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to protect them and those you love against COVID-19. COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19. Though children are typically at lower risk than adults of becoming severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19, it can still happen. If you have concerns about the vaccine, please speak with your child's doctor before you schedule.
# # #
General Public Contact Information:
General COVID-19 Questions: COVID19@lakecountyil.gov
AllVax Support Team: AllVax@lakecountyil.gov / (847) 377-8130
News Media Contact Information:
Emily Young eyoung@lakecountyil.gov / (847) 377-8226
| 
