Nash UNC to Offer COVID Vaccines for Children Who are 5-11
On Tuesday, November 2, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the Pfizer COVID vaccine for children who are 5-11 years old. Effective Monday, November 8, Pfizer COVID vaccines will be available for this age group at Nash UNC’s COVID Vaccine Walk-In Clinic at Nash Day Hospital. Vaccines are free and do not require insurance or a photo ID.
The current hours of operation for Nash UNC’s Vaccine Clinic are Monday-Friday from 8 am – 4 pm. In an effort to better accommodate children who need to receive their vaccine outside of traditional school hours, the clinic will offer extended hours on Thursdays from 8 am until 6 pm. To help with the initial influx of pediatric patients, Thursday, November 11 will be dedicated to pediatric vaccines and scheduling an appointment is strongly recommended.
Those who have questions or would like to make an appointment for a specific time, schedule a homebound visit, or coordinate a community vaccine event, can call Nash UNC's Community Vaccination Line at (252) 962-8624 or schedule online at YourShot.org.
Please note: Pediatric vaccine supply may be limited initially due to federal distribution. Nash UNC will be closely monitoring supply, and if we see that we are close to running low and do not have confirmation of our next shipment of pediatric doses, we will communicate via local media and Nash UNC’s Facebook page.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky explained the availability of COVID vaccines for young children is a major step in the fight against COVID-19.
“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated,” she stated.
The CDC stressed the safety of vaccines for children and the importance of getting those who are 5-11 vaccinated quickly.
“COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reducing their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission,” the CDC explained in a statement.
For answers to frequently asked questions about COVID vaccines, please visit NashUNCHealthCare.org/Vaccine.
Additional information regarding vaccines for children who are 5-11, including a full statement from the CDC, can be found by visiting www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
