Washington County Public Health is awaiting the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5-11 years old as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week their recommendation of the series with an Emergency Use Authorization.

This vaccine may be administered without regard to the timing of other vaccines such as an influenza shot. The Iowa Department of Public Health estimates there are about 284,000 Iowans in this age group. As of November 3rd, over 26,000 of the state’s initial 99,000 allocated pediatric doses are in the state currently, with the remaining doses to arrive in the coming days. Washington County Public Health Nurse Sara Hammes asks that families be patient as their department, healthcare providers, and pharmacies receive these doses. For parents of those close to the 12-18 year old bracket that are already ok’ed to receive the Pfizer vaccine, Hammes advises on whether they should wait until their child reaches that age, “I would say first it’s the parent’s choice. And secondly based off of what guidelines we’re coming off of, which is the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC, if a parent chooses to vaccinate for COVID-19, proceed to have your child vaccinated now is fine and they will be given those recommended by the CDC based off of their age, the date of their vaccination.”

Hammes recommends those with questions about the pediatric Pfizer vaccine to speak with their child’s healthcare provider. They can also contact pharmacies or clinics about getting vaccinated, and Hy-Vee announced that their pharmacies are offering the vaccine on appointment basis only as they have a limited supply at this time. You can find a link to schedule an appointment here. You can also hear more about COVID and influenza vaccine clinics being hosted by Washington County Public Health this month during the second half of a two-part Halcyon House Washington Page on air and at kciiradio.com.