Nov. 3, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine now authorized and recommended for children ages 5-11

The Pfizer vaccine is recommended to protect the health of children and slow the spread of COVID-19. Appointments may be limited at first.

We received exciting news today for families in our community: the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized and recommended for children as young as 5. 

Expert panels convened by the FDA, CDC, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup all recommended the vaccine as safe and highly effective for children in this age group based on evidence from clinical trials. The FDA has authorized use of the vaccine for children ages 5-11. The state Department of Health has expanded COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to include children as young as 5.

"This is a huge step forward that will bring peace of mind to many Kitsap families with school-aged children," Kitsap Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow said. "I wholeheartedly recommend parents get their children vaccinated as the best protection against COVID-19. The vaccine is safe, effective, and already saving lives in our community."

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for children and the Pfizer vaccine.

FACT SHEET: VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN 5-11 Click here for a fact sheet that includes basic information about Pfizer vaccination for children and a listing of local providers >>

Where can I get my 5-11-year-old child vaccinated?

Vaccination for children ages 5-11 will be offered at many clinics and pharmacies in our county, but there are some important points to keep in mind:

• The vaccine dose recommended for kids 5-11 has been specially formulated for younger children and is different from the dose available for people 12 and older. This means providers have to order special vaccine supplies to serve this age group. Appointments may be limited at first. Please be patient. 
  
  
• We recommend families start by contacting their child's regular healthcare provider to find out if they are offering vaccination for 5-11-year-olds before contacting other vaccine providers. Some providers will only be offering vaccination to their existing patients, so it is best to reach out to your own provider first.
  
  
• Be sure to only book an appointment specifically for 5-11-year-olds. As mentioned above, a specially formulated Pfizer dose is recommended for children in this age group. They cannot receive a regular dose of Pfizer.
  
  
• Kitsap Public Health has posted a list of local healthcare providers that have ordered Pfizer vaccine for 5-11-year-olds or have indicated to our staff that they intend to serve this age group. We will update this list as new information becomes available. Find a statewide listing of providers at vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.

Kitsap Public Health vaccine clinics

• Kitsap Public Health District is not offering appointments for children ages 5-11 at our clinics this week. Patients must be 12 or older to receive Pfizer vaccine at our clinics scheduled for Nov. 4 and Nov. 6.
  
  
• We plan to offer our first pediatric (5-11) clinic in Bremerton on Friday, Nov. 12. We will post clinic details and open appointments for this clinic at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 5. Go to kcowa.us/vaccine for updates.

What to know about COVID-19 vaccination for children

We know parents may have a lot of questions when considering whether to have their children vaccinated for COVID-19. Here are answers to common questions and links to additional resources. We encourage families to reach out to their healthcare provider to discuss vaccination. 

Why is COVID-19 vaccination recommended for kids?

While COVID-19 is often more mild in younger children, kids can experience severe and even life-threatening illness from COVID-19. Children with underlying medical conditions are especially at risk for severe illness. Children can also spread COVID-19 to others. 

Vaccination helps protect children from getting COVID-19, and reduces their risk of severe illness or hospitalization if they are infected. It also protects the health of vulnerable family members, friends, and community members. By getting children vaccinated, families can help keep classrooms open and keep kids engaged in healthy activities. 

How do we know the vaccine is safe and effective for younger kids?

More than 3,000 children ages 5-11 have participated in a clinical trial for the Pfizer vaccine. No serious side effects have been detected in the study, which is ongoing. Results from the trial indicated the vaccine provided similar protection for children 5-11 as it did for adolescents and adults. 

COVID-19 vaccines were extensively tested prior to authorization and have been given to hundreds of millions of people worldwide, including more than 175,000 Kitsap residents. The vaccines continue to undergo the most rigorous safety monitoring process in U.S. history. 

What are the side effects from vaccination?

Temporary side effects reported for children 5-11 have typically been mild and similar to those experienced by older patients. They can include pain, redness, and swelling around the injection site (shoulder), and tiredness, headache, muscle ache, fever, and nausea. These symptoms typically go away in about two days. 

More severe health events, including myocarditis, have occurred in people who have received the Pfizer vaccine. These events are very rare. Learn more.  

According to the CDC, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. 

How much does it cost to get vaccinated?

Vaccination is available at no charge for all age groups. Health insurance is not required. 

Where can I learn more?

• CDC: Pfizer BioNTech vaccine page
• CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens
• Washington State Department of Health: Vaccinating Youth

CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org