Va. Beach schools, health districts to host vaccine clinics for kids 5-11
Virginia Beach Public Schools will offer coronavirus vaccination clinics at elementary schools for children ages 5 to 11, according to a letter to parents.
Children in that age range also can be vaccinated on the Peninsula at a mass clinic starting Monday, according to health officials.
Area health districts are setting up clinics for children after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this week authorized a Pfizer vaccination for kids 5 to 11.
Virginia Beach schools will offer vaccination clinics the week of Nov. 8 for the first dose and another series of clinics starting Nov. 29 for the second dose. These are reserved for children 5 to 11 because the dosage is specific to that age group, the Virginia Beach schools letter said. Students must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The Virginia Beach clinics are open to all children, even if they don’t attend a city school. Officials encouraged parents to register their children, though some walk-ins will be accepted if there are openings. Children’s vaccinations are not required.
On the Peninsula, the Community Vaccination Clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 13785 Warwick Blvd., Newport News.
Vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11 are by appointment only and will not be offered on Saturday.
First and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations also are available for older children and adults. Boosters are available to individuals who received the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and meet the following criteria: Age 65 years and older. Age 18 and above with underlying medical conditions.
Live or work in a high-risk setting, such as health care workers, first responders, teachers, educational staff, grocery store employees, postal employees and others.
Kids 12 to 17 will be offered the Pfizer vaccine at the Newport News clinic provided they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Adults will have the option of either the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Appointments can be made online at https://vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-8294682).
For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.