Younger kids in SLO County can finally get COVID vaccines. Here’s what’s next
Local children between the ages of 5 and 11 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department.
Families will soon be able to take their kids to pediatricians, local pharmacies or county public health clinics to get vaccinated against the virus, according to the agency.
The county Public Health Department is waiting for shipments of the smaller dose Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to arrive, according to the release. It will begin scheduling appointments at local public health clinics the week of Nov. 15,
The clinics will be announcing special hours for when children are able to get their shots once the Pfizer shipments arrive, said Michelle Shoresman, public information office for the Public Health Department.
Vaccines may be available earlier at doctors’ offices or local pharmacies, according to the release.
“My heartfelt message to parents is: give your child this protection, and talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions about the vaccine,” Dr. Penny Borenstein, county public health officer, said in the release.
Authorization to vaccinate younger kids against coronavirus comes after a clinical trial featuring volunteers ages five to 11 showed the two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which was approved for ages 12 and up, is safe and effective for the younger age group in a smaller dosage, according to the release.
Some children who participated in the trial had some mild, temporary side effects, including arm soreness, fatigue, fever or chills, the release noted.
Recommendations to vaccinate children 5 to 11 comes from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, a group of experts who provide recommendations to policymakers in the West.
“When children are fully vaccinated, they will be abandle to more safely enjoy many of the activities they love and will also be less likely to pass the virus to older family members,” Borenstein said. “Now is the time to get protected ahead of the winter and the holiday season.”
Where to get a COVID-19 test and schedule a vaccine appointment
Free coronavirus testing is available at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Paso Robles and Morro Bay. To make an appointment, visit emergencySLO.org/testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.
To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255. The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines and boosters on a walk-in basis at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Grover Beach. To find shots at pharmacies near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
The clinics are open Monday and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch), and Saturdays for vaccines only from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The San Luis Obispo clinic is located at 2191 Johnson Ave., the Grover Beach clinic is located at 286 South 16th St. and the Paso Robles clinic is located at 800 Pine St.
For more information, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 4:09 PM.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect address for the Paso Robles vaccine clinic. It is at the train station at 800 Pine St.
