The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Montgomery County scheduling Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11
NORRISTOWN » The Montgomery County Office of Public Health is now scheduling appointments for children ages 5-11 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine following FDA and CDC recommendations.
Children ages 5-11 have been authorized to receive the Pfizer vaccine only. Moderna and J&J vaccines are still being evaluated for this age group. Any COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 is subject to the very same multi-step testing and approval process as all other COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccines — including those routinely recommended for childhood vaccination. For the latest information on approval, visit the CDC website.
Vaccine appointments can be made online atwww.montcopa.org/COVID-19vaccine or by calling (833) 875-3967 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Appointments will begin Thursday, November
4. Appointments are required, and there is no cost to receive the vaccine. Appointments are open to children who live or go to school in Montgomery County.
All minors (under age 18) seeking to get vaccinated at aMontgomery County clinic must either be physically accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or an authorized substitute. For more guidance on this, click here and scroll to the ‘Getting vaccinated as a minor in Montco’ heading.
MontgomeryCounty operates four COVID-19 vaccine clinics. They are located at:
• Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 North Keim Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. — 6 p.m. Thursdays 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
• Human Services Center (First Floor, Community Room), 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401 Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. — 6 p.m. Thursdays 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
• King of Prussia Mall at the Court (Third Floor, former Thomasville Furniture) 640 W. Dekalb Pike, Suite 3010, King of Prussia, PA 19406 Mondays 11:30 a.m. — 6 p.m. Wednesdays 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
• Willow Grove Parkside Shopping Center (former Petco) 2522 West Moreland Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 Mondays 11:30 a.m. — 6 p.m. Wednesdays 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
Can’t find a time or location that works for you? Visitvaccines.gov for a comprehensive collection of clinics in our area, from all providers.
MontgomeryCounty has partnered with the Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC) to hold a series of town halls for parents to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children. During these live, virtual events, local healthcare & community leaders will share the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years old and answer parents’ questions and concerns.
Registration is free for the following events:
• Tuesday, November 9, 7 p.m.: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11: A Virtual Town Hall for Asian Parents in collaboration with the Asian American Coalition partners. Register at www. montcopa.org/townhall. • Thursday, November 11, 7 p.m.: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11: A virtual town hall for Black parents in partnership with Norristown NAACP. Register at www.montcopa.org/ vaccine. • Tuesday, November 16, 7:30 p.m.: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11 (Spanish/Español): A virtual roundtable for Latino parents in partnership with ACLAMO. Register at www.montcopa.org/ roundtable. • Wednesday, November 17, 7 p.m.; COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11: A Virtual Roundtable for Parents. Register at www.montcopa.org/parents.
MontgomeryCounty is currently administering the following vaccines for those who qualify at its four clinics: • First and second doses for people ages 5 and older (Pfizer) • One dose for people ages 18 & older (J&J) • Booster doses for people who qualify (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) • Third dose for immunocompromised people (Pfizer & Moderna) • Flu shots for people 6 months of age or older
COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as a flu shot, however, separate appointments are required for each vaccine. To get both vaccines at the same time, please schedule both appointments at the same clinic location with coordinating time slots if possible. To make an appointment for a first, second, third, or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.montcopa. org/COVID-19vaccine. To make an appointment for a flu shot, visitwww.montcopa.org/Flu.
MontgomeryCounty’s Department of Public Safety is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to homebound individuals who are eligible through its Mobile Integrated Health Unit. Anyone who wants to set up a vaccination appointment for a homebound person should call (610) 6313079 and leave a voicemail for a call back.
For general COVID-19 questions or to register for the vaccine by phone, call theMontgomery County COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967. The hotline is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 am. to 4:30 pm. General questions can also be emailed to covid19@montcopa.org.