Kaiser rolls out COVID vaccines for 5 and under
For the last year, the COVID vaccine has been an option for those seeking to get a layer of protection against the virus.
However, it has been a waiting game for certain younger age groups. First, the vaccine was only available to ages 16 and older, then 12 and older, then 6 and older, and now those in the range of 6 months to 5 years have their turn.
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's approval of a vaccine for the youngest age range, Solano County announced Monday that it would follow suit and expand its vaccine eligibility. Over at Kaiser Permanente, the vaccines were rolled out its Vacaville and Vallejo campuses Thursday and its non-emergency Fairfield campus Friday.
“It feels really good to have the opportunity to offer protection to our littlest patients and members, especially as a pediatrician who receives so many kids getting sick as soon as their family members get sick,” Dr. Keedra McNeill's, a physician at the Fairfield campus, said. “Parents are very, very worried, especially about the youngest members of the family, so now they can have the same protection that their parents and older siblings have.”
McNeill said preparing for the vaccines has been easy, especially as the team at Kaiser has been administering vaccines to different age groups already.
“We've been ready to go as soon as we received the approval and the shipments,” she said.
The vaccines are recommended for all kids in the age range, although McNeill said some children might not qualify if they are immunocompromised or have a medical condition that would preclude them from getting the shot. She encourages families to speak with their pediatrician or family medicine doctor if they have questions about their child's condition.
“For the most part, most children will be eligible,” she said.
Within the first hour, Kaiser's Fairfield center had approximately 10 patients getting the vaccine within the first hour Friday afternoon. While
some cries could be heard, most were pretty stoic.
“Younger children are never very excited to get a shot, but I think that they've done well, and the parents and grandparents who are bringing them in are just really relieved that they don't have to be as protective of them as they've been before now that they've received their vaccine,” McNeill said.
Omari Person, 4, of Fairfield sat on his mother, Dominique's, lap and was told to look out the window as he got the shot. He did not utter the word and received a goody bag afterward with stickers, crayons and coloring pages.
“He did excellent,” his mother said. “I think he did really, really good for his first vaccine.”
Dominique said her son had only gotten the required shots from when he was a baby, so this was a first for him.
“As he's gotten older, he's gotten better with the shots,” she said.
Dominique has been anxious for her son to qualify for a vaccine during the pandemic. Luckily, Omari has never contracted COVID, but Dominique knows the threat is there.
“COVID is real, and it's not nice,” she said. “I'm just thankful (the vaccine) is finally here.”
Dominique believes every parent should have their child get the vaccine.
“I know some people don't believe in it, but it's for their safety,” she said. “It's another protection. I know that it doesn't stop the kids from getting COVID, but it just makes it where it's not as severe, less of a hassle.”
McNeill said the vaccine would allow children's bodies to create antibodies to protect against serious illness. She also said any family member who gets COVID is likely to pass it along to anyone in their household.
“This is gonna help to keep them from getting more severe illness, which may cause hospitalization, sever side effects down the line and in very rare cases, even death,” she said.
McNeill encourages families to talk to their medical providers if they have concerns.
“Utilize their child's trusted doctor as a resource for information,” she said.
The Pfizer vaccine is available for children up to 4, and the Moderna vaccine is available for children up to 5.
For more information on vaccine eligibility in Solano County, go to Solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus_links/covid_19_vaccines.asp.