United States health authoritiess gave final approval to Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 and infants up to 6 months on Saturday.
Some 20 million American children under the age of 5 now qualify for the coronavirus vaccination, which became available on Tuesday, June 21.
Parts of the tri-state area will start vaccinating, including New Jersey.
Here we explain how it works.
What COVID vaccine can children under 5 years of age receive?
- Pfizer-BioNTech: Children between 6 months and 4 years of age can receive the Pfizer vaccine. This vaccine requires 3 doses in the primary series. The first and second doses are separated by three to eight weeks, and the second and third doses are separated by at least eight weeks. For people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), the first and second doses are separated by three weeks, and the second and third doses are separated by at least eight weeks.
- Modern: Children ages 6 months to 5 years can get the Moderna vaccine. This vaccine requires 2 doses in the primary series, given 4 to 8 weeks apart. For people with moderate or severe immunosuppression (having a weakened immune system), the first and second doses are spaced four weeks apart, and the second and third doses are spaced at least four weeks apart.
A booster dose is not currently licensed for children in this age group.
Where can minors receive the vaccine?
NEW JERSEY:
- Vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years became available in New Jersey on Tuesday, June 21, regardless of immigration or insurance status.
- Find an appointment to get vaccinated at covid19.nj.gov/finder.
NEW YORK:
New York Governor Kathy Hochul noted that the State Department of Health will finalize operational guidance for vaccination providers this week.
In addition to writing guidance that will soon be shared with providers, New York State has already taken important steps to prepare for the rollout of vaccines for children under the age of five. State providers outside of New York City have placed preliminary orders for more than 39,000 doses, and the State Department of Health is working to ensure providers across the state can order additional doses.
For information on where to take minors when the state begins vaccinating visit this website.
NEW YORK CITY
The COVID-19 vaccine is already licensed for children ages 6 months to 4 years. Administration of this group is expected to begin in New York City beginning Wednesday, June 22.
Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday that the city will have 10 city-run vaccination centers ready by this date.
Clinics in New York City that have been serving children age five and older will transition to serving younger children once the infant vaccination campaign begins. Locations and hours are below:
| Manhattan | ||
| Times Square | Monday to Sunday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| NYC Health Dept. – Uptown Clinic (in East Harlem) | Monday to Saturday | 9 AM– 5 PM |
| Queens | ||
| Queens Mall | Monday to Sunday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| NYC Health Dept. – Corona Clinic | Monday to Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| NYC Vaccine Hub – Long Island City | Thursday to Sunday | 10 AM – 7 PM |
| The Bronx | ||
| NYC Health Dept. – Morrisania Clinic | wednesday to saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Staten Island | ||
| NYC Vaccine Hub – Empire Outlets | Monday to Sunday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Brooklyn | ||
| NYC Vaccine Hub – The Jefferson | Thursday to Sunday | 10 AM – 7 PM |
| NYC Vaccine Hub – The Livonia | Thursday to Sunday | 10 AM – 7 PM |
| NYC Vaccine Hub – Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Wednesday to Sunday | 9 AM – 5:30 PM |
CONNECTICUT
The approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and older is another big step forward in the overall rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, and as early as Monday, June 20, parents will be spoiled for choice. about where to get them, the Connecticut Department of Health said.
- Pediatric offices: Hundreds of pediatricians will administer COVID-19 vaccinations throughout Connecticut. However, not all pediatricians will have the COVID-19 vaccine, so if your child’s provider does not offer the COVID-19 vaccine, check out one of the other options provided.
- Pharmacy: There will be hundreds of pharmacies offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children. Pharmacies provide a safe, convenient, and easy place to get a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, pharmacies have provided special training for their pharmacist staff to administer vaccinations to younger children.
- Other places: In addition to the above, various health systems and local health departments will offer COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age.
- DPH Yellow Van Clinics: DPH hosts mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics through its Yellow Vans program. Updated clinic hours can be found find hereI’m visiting him ct.gov/coronavirus
Residents are also encouraged to visit vacunas.gov to find a convenient location for the COVID-19 vaccine.
What are the side effects like?
Your child may experience minor side effects such as arm pain, fever, body aches, and fatigue. These symptoms can last 1 to 2 days.
Here you can find more questions.
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