SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Shannon Vaccine Clinic began administering Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 Monday. The Federal Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer vaccine for that age group last week.
The Pfizer vaccine is administered through a two-dose series with the same effectiveness as the adult version. Children ages 5 to 11 receive 10 micrograms, only one third of what adults use.
“The reason the FDA approved this vaccine is because studies in these aged children shows its very safe and it’s ninety-one percent effective preventing COVID and in the United states there were a large amount of children who were hospitalized last year from COVID and some that didn't make it so it’s very smart to get the vaccine,” Shannon Medical Center Chief Medical Officer, Doug Schultz, said.
After nearly a year of COVID-19 vaccines available for adults, parents are finally able to take their children to get their first dose of vaccine.
“We know it’s a safe vaccine, so I would just encourage you to go ahead and get your kids safe and get their vaccine,” mother, Carolina Ojeda Flores, said.
Ojeda said her two daughters, ages six and nine, were really excited to receive their first dose of the vaccine.
“I wanted to get it for two reasons, first reason is because my grandpa died of COVID, my second reason is because my sister missed her birthday because she had COVID and it lasted through her entire birthday and she really wants it back,” nine-year-old, Catalina Alcocer, said.
The Pfizer vaccine is now available at the Shannon Vaccine Clinic, appointments are not required but parents can reserve a spot at shannonhealth.com/COVIDvaccine.
The clinic, 3501 Knickerbocker Road, is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
