Updated 10/20/2022
Updated 12/16/2022 Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) of the Updated (Bivalent) Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines Now Include Use in Children Down to 6 Months Old
This announcement came on December 8, 2022.
Here is the statement from the FDA which includes a good explanation of
who is recommended to get the booster and who is not. There are some nuances to this recommendation.
RCAM No Longer Scheduling COVID-19 Vaccination for Any Age
Most recently, we began vaccinating our younger patients (under 5 years old) in June. This past month we added influenza (flu) vaccination while keeping a very busy clinic schedule (many of you know firsthand that there has been lots of illness out there).
Our front office and nursing staff have thrown themselves into trying to provide all of these services. There efforts have been beyond what is expected - working evenings, weekends, extra shifts. Our attempts to "do it all" have simply exceeded our human capabilities. Almost three years of extreme challenges have led us to this decision.
The Pediatricians of RCAM still very strongly and enthusiastically recommend staying up to date with your
COVID vaccination.
If you are wondering if you or your child need a COVID vaccination or booster, the CDC website can be very helpful. Also, you can ask your
doctor. We are happy to review this information with you.
Other Places Where Your Child Can Get COVID-19 Vaccine:
- Wake County Health Department - For appointments, call 919-250-1500 Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:15pm or sign up online.
- Health Park Pharmacy is offering COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 3 years and up.
- Most other pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are offering COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 3 years and up.
COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for ages 6 months to 4 years old
We finally have a COVID-19 vaccine available for young children. https://login-nc.uvax.one/logi...
On June 18, 2022, the CDC - based on the recommendation of their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - approved two COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years old.
The pediatricians at RCAM enthusiastically endorse this recommendation.
Helpful link: From the AAP's website healthychildren.org, what you need to know about COVID vaccination under 5 years
old.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses for ages 5 to 11 years old
On May 19, 2022, The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) met and expanded their recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster doses to include all children ages 5 years old and up.
See below for other options for getting your child their COVID vaccination.
Who Needs a COVID Vaccine Booster?
Here the CDC website offers an up-to-date summary
of COVID Vaccine Booster recommendations.
Other Options for COVID Vaccination
uVax.oneTM describes itself as "a one-stop digital platform that connects patient with COVID-19 vaccination sites." It organizes information about where you can get your COVID vaccine and pairs you with the ones closest to you.
- Register a new account and schedule with uVax.one here.
- If you already have an account, you can log in here.
CDC - information about COVID-19 vaccination sites at vaccines.gov.
UNC Healthcare - information about
COVID-19 vaccination sites here.
Health Park Pharmacy - we have gotten
feedback from patients that Health Park Pharmacy offers
COVID-19 vaccination. Also, multiple have reported to us that Health Park does a good job with giving the vaccine to
children.
11-02-2021
The ACIP has Recommended COVID Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 years old.
Most pediatricians follow the recommendation of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) about who should get vaccine.
That committee met Tuesday, November 2, 2021 and voted overwhelmingly to recommend COVID vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years old.
10-29-2021
FDA Grants EUA for COVID Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 years old
On Friday, October 29, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for patients aged 5 to 11 years old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has summarized information about this new
recommendation here.
