The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for kids five to 11 years old.
The Pfizer vaccine for kids is the same as for adults. The kid's version is just one-third of the adult dosage. It’s still given in a two-dose series taken 21 days apart.
Lisa Gonzalez is the DeKalb County Public Health Administrator. She says the health department is scheduling limited appointments right now, offering clinics later this month and opening appointment availability in December.
“We are scheduling appointments as people are calling,” she said. “We are also working with area school districts to survey the parents of children aged five to 11 just to try to get an idea of what we think the initial take rate will be.”
The Winnebago County Health Department is working with schools to host child vaccine clinics. Gonzalez says, at least initially, the plan in DeKalb County is to offer appointments at the health department as opposed to a mass vaccine site or clinic.
“Parents are likely more comfortable being with their child," said Gonzalez, "and we have a setup here at the health department that allows the child, the parent and the provider to go into a room to answer any questions that that parent may have and then to provide that vaccine sort of in more of a clinic environment.”
Aside from the health department, parents can also visit their pharmacy or medical provider to get the vaccine. Here’s more information on where vaccines are available for DeKalb, Winnebago, Lee, Kane & DuPage counties.
