After discussions at their meeting today, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5–11.
November 1, 2021
CDC Approves Pfizer Vaccinations for Children Age 5-11
After discussions at their meeting today, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5–11. This follows last week's decision by the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) to authorize emergency use of the vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children in this age group.
Following the expected approval of CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, the Iowa Department of Public Health will issue detailed guidance to all county public health departments. The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team has been working with local vaccine providers in preparation for this announcement and the first shipments of doses for this age group are expected to arrive later this week.
- Local pediatricians and healthcare providers are expected to share details on their vaccination plans on their websites and social media channels soon. Information will be shared when available.
- Local pharmacies will also offer vaccinations for children in this age group.
- The Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) will also offer these vaccines at its walk-in clinics. See clinic details below.
- Please note that children MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive these vaccinations.
The authorization was based on the FDA’s thorough and transparent evaluation of the data that included input from independent advisory committee experts who overwhelmingly voted in favor of making the vaccine available to children in this age group.
Key points for parents and caregivers:
- Effectiveness: Immune responses of children 5 through 11 years of age were comparable to those of individuals 16 through 25 years of age. In addition, the vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 5 through 11.
- Safety: The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children age 5 through 11 who received the vaccine and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age is administered as a two-dose primary series, 3 weeks apart, but is a lower dose (10 micrograms) than that used for individuals 12 years of age and older (30 micrograms).
In the U.S., COVID-19 cases in children 5 through 11 years of age make up 39% of cases in individuals younger than 18 years of age. According to the CDC, approximately 8,300 COVID-19 cases in children 5 through 11 years of age resulted in hospitalization. As of Oct. 17, 691 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S. in individuals less than 18 years of age, with 146 deaths in the 5 through 11 years age group.
UPCOMING LOCAL VACCINATION CLINICS
Friday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in boosters and vaccinations FOR ADULTS of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
Friday, Nov. 5, Noon. – 4:30 p.m.
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in pediatric Pfizer vaccinations for CHILDREN AGES 5-11.
Monday, Nov. 8, 4 – 7 p.m.
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in vaccinations and boosters of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson for ADULTS and pediatric Pfizer for CHILDREN AGES 5-11.
Thursday, Nov. 11, 3 – 6 p.m.
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in vaccinations and boosters of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson for ADULTS and pediatric Pfizer for CHILDREN AGES 5-11.
Friday, Nov. 12, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in vaccinations and boosters of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson for ADULTS and pediatric Pfizer for CHILDREN AGES 5-11.
There are multiple locations/providers in Dubuque County offering free COVID-19 vaccinations, to see the complete list with contact information for each, visit http://www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/sleevesup or call the SleevesUp Call Center at 563.690.6253.
For COVID-19 testing options, visit www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/COVID19
BOOSTER GUIDANCE REMINDERS
Guidance for Booster Doses of Pfizer & Moderna
The CDC recommends for individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
- People 65 years and older
- People 18 years and older who reside in long-term care settings
- People aged 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
- People aged 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings
Guidance for Booster Doses of Johnson & Johnson
The CDC recommends:
- People aged 18 years and older who received a single dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) primary series (1 dose) should receive a COVID-19 booster dose at least 2 months after the first dose.
- The J&J vaccine does not have eligibility criteria for the booster dose. (Anyone who received a shot of J&J is now eligible for a booster.)
Most local vaccination providers have Pfizer and Moderna. Supplies of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are currently limited so residents seeking that vaccine/booster are encouraged to first check with their provider or the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association.