COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available for Children Under Twelve

A new notice by the CDC authorizes children ages 5-11 to receive the Pfizer vaccine to protect them from the continual spread of COVID-19. 

According to the CDC’s website, children and teens are recommended to be vaccinated from the COVID-19 virus. Although children are at a lower risk of being hospitalized, since COVID cases tend to be milder among children than adults, they can still get sick from the virus and potentially pass it on to other people. Children with underlying medical conditions are also at more risk for medical complications from the virus. 

Some schools are requiring vaccinations in order to attend. Taking your child to get their vaccine could keep them in school. They will need to receive a second dosage shortly after their first shot, two weeks later, similar to vaccination norms for adults. 

The federal government is providing free COVID-19 vaccines to U.S. citizens regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Please check your health care provider or local pharmacy about vaccine appointment availability. An email from President Callahan detailed that the University of the Pacific will offer vaccines for children ages 5-11 at clinics on our Stockton campus on Nov. 13th, 14th, and 15th.