FDA Approves Covid Vaccines For Children 6 Months To 5 Years Of Age. Area Clinics Now Booking Appointments
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FDA Approves Covid Vaccines For Children 6 Months To 5 Years Of Age. Area Clinics Now Booking Appointments
Vaccines for young children up to age 5 were given emergency use authorization by the FDA last Friday (6/17). The announcement will make 20 million more Americans eligible to receive the lower dose Pfizer BioNTek or Moderna vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine, also known as Comirnity, is available as a three-dose regime, with two doses three weeks apart and a third dose at least eight weeks later. The Moderna vaccine, also known as Spikevax, is a two-dose regime with four weeks between the doses. An additional dose of both vaccines is recommended for individuals with impaired immunity. Both vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective.
Amherst Health Director Jennifer Brown said the Health Department is planning to offer the vaccines at the Bangs Center for the youngest children in the next few weeks. Appointments can now be made at the Northampton vaccine clinic and the Elks Lodge in Florence for Monday mornings in July and August (not on July 4). Older children (ages 5 to 11) are now advised to have a booster shot at least five months after completing their first series. The Northampton clinic has appointments on Monday afternoons for ages 5 to 11.
UMass is also open for COVID-19 vaccines for all ages on Wednesdays from 10 to 1 and Thursdays from 1 to 4. Clinics are held at the Campus Center. Appointments can be made here. (note: the site indicates that vaccines are available for those ages 12 and up, although the state site indicates that vaccines for all ages are available).
Amherst continues to offer vaccines for those ages 12 and over at the Bangs Center on Thursdays from 3 to 5. Appointments can be made here, but walk-ins are welcome. Several pharmacies and physicians’ offices also offer vaccines, but the doses available and hours vary. All individuals ages 50 and over are advised to have a second booster shot at least four months after the previous shot.