By the Platte County Health Department
The Platte County Health Department has announced upcoming clinics for children aged 5 to 11 to receive the pediatric dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine.
Clinics have been scheduled, both at the health department office in Parkville and at the health department location in Platte City.
Appointments are required and the link to register is on the health department’s website at plattecountyhealthdept.com.
The Parkville clinics are set for:
.Monday, Nov. 15, 3-6 p.m.
.Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3-6 p.m.
The clinics at the Platte City location are set for:
.Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1-5 p.m.
.Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1-5 p.m.
Appointments are required and registration can be completed at plattecountyhealthdept.com.
The Pfizer COVID vaccine is authorized for children and adolescents age five and up, as a two-dose series taken three weeks apart. Those receiving the Pfizer COVID vaccine are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second shot. The dose for children age 5-11 is one-third of the dosage of the vaccine for older adolescents and adults.
The health department says COVID has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID. The vaccine is one of the best defenses against COVID and is safe and effective, according to the health department. Health officials say before being authorized for children, scientists and medical experts completed their review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials of thousands of children. The Pfizer COVID vaccine has been rigorously tested and reviewed.
“As we continue to work on getting community members vaccinated, the addition of being able to have children ages 5 to 11 receive a COVID vaccine is exciting news in the fight against COVID,” said Mary Jo Vernon, director, Platte County Health