Kings County health officials announce that COVID-19 vaccine now available for children, ages 5-11

The move comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine on Friday, October 29, 2021, followed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approval of pediatric vaccination on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

In Kings County, residents can find walk-in clinics and appointment options on the State’s myturn.ca.gov website or by calling 1-833-422-4255 Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) received the first round of 300 pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with up to 2,100 additional doses expected in the coming days.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky’s recommendation on childhood vaccination is clear: “COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.” 

“We encourage parents to consider COVID-19 vaccination for their children, though we also recognize this is a personal decision and considerations are different for every family,” said Darcy Pickens, Interim Public Health Director. “Talking to your pediatrician about any concerns you may have is a major step in the process before making your appointment.”

A parent or legal guardian must accompany individuals under age 18, provide appropriate verification and complete the necessary documentation for the vaccine to be administered to a minor.

Booster doses also remain available county-wide. If residents, having received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, which is available only to those 18 and up, they are eligible for a booster two months after your initial dose, regardless of health status.

If you originally received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, you are eligible for a booster six months after your second dose if you are: 

• 65 years or older;
• Age 18+ and live in a long-term care setting;
• Age 18+ and have an underlying medical condition or;
• Age 18+ and work or are living in an environment that puts you at elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19

The “additional dose” of Pfizer or Moderna, which comes 28 days after the initial 2-dose series, is available only to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems that make them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. For more detailed information on all COVID-19 vaccination options, visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Get-the-Facts-on-Vaccines.aspx

 For additional answers to common COVID-19 vaccine questions or to make an appointment, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/.

Visit www.kingscovidinfo.com for current information and guidance.