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COVID-19 vaccine available to children 5-11 at Carle, appointments available

COVID-19 vaccine available to children 5-11 at Carle, appointments available
Carle Health supports the recent recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children ages 5-11 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and will begin scheduling appointments throughout the region beginning today.
 
The CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirm the specially-formulated Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is a safe, effective way to protect children who are ages 5-11 against serious illness and disease caused by the COVID-19 virus. The approved vaccine is a two-dose series and is one-third the dose of the adult version.
 
This guidance now means 28 million American children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old are eligible to reifsteck-brent.jpgreceive Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine and be better protected from transmitting the illness in their communities.
 
“This is a very important milestone in keeping our children and families safe against the COVID-19 virus,” Brent Reifsteck, MD, pediatrician, Carle Medical Director of Children’s Services said. “I strongly encourage parents to consider a vaccine appointment for their child. I am confident that vaccination is our safest bet in preventing children from serious complications caused by infection.”
 
Carle will provide vaccine for patients and community member across the region. Community vaccine clinics will be staffed with many of the same team members from Carle Pediatric and Family Medicine areas or who are specially trained to administer vaccine to children.
 
Champaign County – Community members can schedule an appointment at the Carle community vaccine clinic at Kohl’s Plaza in Champaign through MyCarle or Carle.org. Teams will begin to administer vaccination to this age group Saturday, Nov. 6 with availability every weekend in November. They will also offer the Pfizer and Moderna booster through scheduled appointments.
 
Coles County – Vaccine appointments for this age group will be made available at Carle Mattoon on Fridays. Patients can call (217) 258-5900 or visit MyCarle to schedule an appointment.
 
McLean County – Community members in McLean County are encouraged to contact their Primary Care provider to schedule an appointment in their offices. Carle is also partnering with Unit 5 schools to establish mass vaccination clinics for students. The school district will contact families who qualify.
 
Richland County – Community members in Richland County are encouraged to contact their Primary Care provider to schedule an appointment in their offices through MyCarle or by calling (618) 392-9400
 
Vermilion County – COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11 will be available during a one day clinic on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Carle Danville on Fairchild. Appointments will be available from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m and can be scheduled by calling (217) 902-6100. Second doses will be offered at the same clinic location on Saturday, Dec. 11. Vermilion County residents can also schedule a vaccine appointment at the Kohl’s Plaza community clinic in Champaign.  
 
Woodford County – Community members in Woodford County are encouraged to contact their Primary Care provider to schedule an appointment in their offices through MyCarle.
 
Appointments can be made immediately though MyCarle or on Carle.org.
 
“We’re excited to see this recommendation come forward from the CDC,” Roberthealy-robert.jpg Healy, MD, chief quality officer said. “The research and testing needed to make this step clearly shows this formulation of the Pfizer dose is safe for this age group, with very minimal instances of side effects. Vaccinating this large part of the population is one step closer to more fully limiting the spread of infection in our communities.”
 
As the most researched vaccine in history, the COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be safe and effective. Carle remains committed to providing access to this important vaccine throughout the region and is collaborating with local public health departments to ensure all children who qualify can be seen.
 
It’s critical for everyone to receive the COVID-19 as the most effective solution to limiting the COVID-19 virus in our community.
 
Visit carle.org/covid-19 for more information or to schedule a vaccine appointment today.  
 

Categories: Staying Healthy

Tags: COVID-19, pediatrics, vaccine