By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com
The Alexandria Health Department and other providers are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to those ages 5 to 11 after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine’s use for children on Tuesday.
Pfizer’s vaccine requires two doses separated by three weeks and was previously approved for use by anyone 12 or older. While young children are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s vaccine, both the two-shot Moderna and one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines are still only available for people 18 or older.
In Alexandria, parents are able to get their children vaccinated at AHD clinics around the city, as well as at private pharmacies and pediatrician’s offices, according to a news release. AHD will make appointments available on a rolling basis as the vaccine becomes available, and AHD warned it may take a few weeks to receive the vaccine as the city receives enough doses to vaccinate the city’s more than 12,000 youth, according to the release.
Visit the city’s website to schedule an appointment or find appointments at pharmacies in the city, by visiting vaccines.gov after the website has been updated later this week. Residents can also call Alexandria’s COVID-19 hotline, 703-746-4988, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
