Vaccination is now recommended for everyone five years and older. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is available to all children aged five to 11. (ES file photo.)

CHENANGO COUNTY — COVID-19 vaccination can help protect your child from getting COVID-19. Although fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, get sick from COVID-19, and can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others.

In September, there were over a million children infected with COVID. Unlike what most parents think, not all cases are mild. There have been 17 deaths in the zero to nine years age group and 16 deaths in the 10 to 19 years age group in New York State.

Vaccination is now recommended for everyone five years and older. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is available to all children aged five to 11. Getting your child vaccinated helps to protect your child, your family, and the entire community.

The virus can transmit easily between unvaccinated children and adults. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 can help reduce the virus’ chance to mutate and it can stop other dangerous Variants from emerging. Children exposed to the virus who are vaccinated are less likely to get infected, allowing them to continue to participate with less disruptions to school attendance and other activities.

The Chenango County Health Department is offering a Pfizer Vaccine clinic for ages five and up on November 18th from 3 to 5 p.m. in Norwich, at the Old Label Shopper store location in the South Plaza. Please visit co.chenango.ny.us/public-health, and go to the “vaccine” tab to register.

We are also offering to come to the local school districts to host a vaccine clinic for ages five and up (including family members). Some of the schools will choose this option, but not all. Parents must be present for a child to get vaccinated. These school clinics are being planned for December 2021 and January 2022. We will inform your school as soon as we can. We will share details and schedule to you through your school district.

Where to Get Vaccinated

If you are a parent, ask your pediatrician if they will be giving the COVID-19 vaccine and talk to them about any concerns that you have. Be sure to get the facts from a trusted source such as your doctor. We must fight back against dangerous misinformation.

Make your appointment as soon as they become available with your doctor, our Health Department, your local pharmacy, or other location where you feel comfortable. Vaccinating everyone, including children five years and older is the key to overcoming this pandemic.

Possible Side Effects

Your child cannot get COVID-19 from any COVID-19 vaccine. Children ages five to 11 receive a smaller dosage of vaccine. Your child might notice pain at the injection site (upper arm), and they could feel more tired than usual.

Headache, achy muscles or joints, and even fever and chills are also possible. These side effects are usually temporary and generally clear up within 48 hours. Adolescents ages 12 years and older receive the same dosage of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as adults. The vaccine is a two-dose series so your child will need another dose in 21 days.

Vaccines are Safe and Effective

COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, including studies in children aged five to 11. While COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly, all steps were taken to make sure they are safe and effective.

Scientists have been working for many years to develop vaccines against viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. This knowledge helped speed up the initial development of the current COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccines in the United States must go through three phases of clinical trials to make sure they are safe and effective. During the development of COVID-19 vaccines, phases overlapped to speed up the process, but all phases were completed.

Online resources

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines/index.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus

https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-data-new-york

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

- from the Chenango County Health Department