Kaiser Permanente Washington has received our first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. With the winter holidays and more gatherings quickly approaching, we strongly encourage members to get their families vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11. It comes in a lower dose and with smaller needles (as compared with those used for people 12 and older). Like the vaccine for adults and teens, it will also be given in 2 doses, 21 days apart.
The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children, and no serious side effects have been detected. Not only was the vaccine found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19, but it also reduces the risk of severe symptoms. According to the CDC, more than 1.9 million 5- to 11-year-olds in the U.S. have been infected by COVID-19 during the pandemic and 8,300 have been hospitalized.
Kaiser Permanente members can schedule an appointment for their child online or via the Kaiser Permanente Washington mobile app through their access to their child’s account. Members can also call 1-800-352-3610 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
It’s also time to schedule family flu shots:
Kaiser Permanente members can get flu shots at no additional cost from select retailers and pharmacies, in addition to Kaiser Permanente facilities, now through March 31, 2022. To find a flu shot location, visit kp.org/flu or read more about both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines
