Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Parents urged to set up kids’ vaccination appointment
Pennsylvania Department of Health Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson led a discussion about the COVID-19 vaccine available for children ages 5 to 11. The event, titled Vax Facts: Facts About Pediatric Vaccines, is the latest in a series aimed at providing relevant and accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines and addressing residents’ questions.
It is safe for your child to get the flu and a COVID-19 vaccines at the same appointment. Kids will get two shots, 21 days apart. Each dose is 10 micrograms, which is one-third of the dose given to adults and teenagers.
In Chester County, COVID shots for children are available weekly at the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road in West Chester. It will also be available Thursday at Gordon Early Literacy Center, 315 Kersey St. and at Great Valley Middle School, and on Dec. 1 at the Kennett Fire Company, 423 Dalmatian St. in Kennett Square.
“The Pfizer pediatric vaccine is safe, and it is highly effective at protecting children against COVID-19-related illness, hospitalization, and death,” Johnson said. “Vaccinating children against COVID-19 is the best way to keep families and communities healthy and safe — while also keeping schools safe and open for in-person learning. To parents with a child age 5 and older, I encourage you to get them vaccinated and give your child the power to safely learn, play and be a kid.”
Johnson was joined by pediatricians versed in childhood vaccinations.
Dr. Trude Haecker, MD, FAAP, president of the PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and General Pediatrician from Philadelphia; and Dr. Swathi Gowtham, MD, FAAAP, board-certified and fellowship-trained specialist in pediatric infectious diseases from Danville.
With parental consent, children ages 5 to 11 are able to receive the FDAauthorized and pediatrician recommended Pfizer vaccine at pediatrician offices, health centers, pharmacies and other health care provider facilities.
“With at least one quarter of all COVID-19 cases occurring in children, the approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 is a huge milestone for some 28 million kids,” Haecker said. “This vaccine provides the best protection we have against this virus. The pandemic has taken a toll not only on the physical health of children, but also on their social, developmental, and emotional health. Thankfully, this vaccine will move us closer to a return to normalcy for our children, and ensure that they can remain in school, safely. I encourage all parents and caregivers to reach out to their pediatrician or primary care provider with questions and to schedule their child’s vaccination.”
“The impact of COVID-19 in children should not be underestimated — around 600 American children have died of COVID-19 since the beginning of pandemic,” Gowtham said. “As pediatricians, we want parents and guardians to be comfortable with the medical decisions they make for their children — please reach out to your child’s health care provider about any questions regarding COVID-19 vaccine or any other vaccine. These vaccines give us hope that families can have healthier holiday season this winter, if all those who are eligible get their COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines.”