The Wayne County Health Department will begin administering the Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine to children ages 5-11 on Monday, November 8, 2021. This vaccine was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and has received a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child vaccines are limited and must be scheduled by appointment only at www.waynegov.com/vaccine.

During the most recent surge, pediatric cases of COVID-19 rose by about 240% in the United States, demonstrating a need to protect children from the disease. Clinical trials that began in March 2021 showed that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was safe and effective in protecting children ages 5–11 from COVID-19.

Children are given two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Each dose is one-third the amount given to people ages 12 and older. The dose for 5–11 year olds is different from the dose authorized for people ages 12 and older, so residents should be sure they choose the child dose option when booking an appointment.

For more information about how vaccines for children work and where you can find a vaccine provider nearby, visit MySpot.nc.gov.