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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 2 endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation that children 5-11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The approval makes nearly 8,000 Pasadena children between the ages of 5 and 11 eligible for vaccination this week. Parents and guardians are required to be present during vaccine administration.
Initial doses of the pediatric vaccine arrived early this week and additional vaccine has been ordered. In addition to hosting pediatric clinics at PPHD and at schools in partnership with the Pasadena Unified School District, PPHD has also worked with a network of pediatric providers and retail pharmacies across the City that are prepared to provide vaccines to children between the ages of 5 and 11.
The Pasadena Unified School District said Wednesday it plans vaccination clinics not only at the PUSD Primary Clinic but also at multiple school sites for the 5- to 11-year-olds.
“It is our goal to offer opportunities for the first dose before Thanksgiving and the second dose three weeks later which will allow our students to be fully vaccinated before they return from winter break,” the District said in a statement.
Some private medical providers operating in the city were making the vaccine available earlier.
CVS Pharmacy planned to begin administering the vaccine to children between 5 and 11 years old on Sunday, according to company spokeswoman Monica Prinzing.
Those interested can sign up for an appointment online at CVS.com or via the CVS mobile app, she said.
“The CVS scheduling tool will only display appointments at CVS Pharmacy locations that have the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine once the patient’s age is provided,” Prinzing added.
PPHD clinicians routinely vaccinate children, and all clinical staff receive extensive training in administering pediatric vaccines.
Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, PPHD director and board-certified pediatrician, strongly recommends that everyone who is eligible to receive the safe and effective vaccines should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Parents are encouraged to check the CDC or American Academy of Pediatrics websites for more information and talk with their child’s pediatrician or medical provider to answer any questions they may have.
In order to prepare children to receive the vaccine, PPHD recommends:
Talking to children about the vaccine in advance
Wearing short sleeves to the vaccine appointment for easier access to the upper arm
Ensuring children are well hydrated before and after receiving the vaccine
Planning to monitor children closely after they receive the vaccine for any side effects
Once fully approved, those seeking Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 can make an appointment at MyTurn.CA.gov or at a local pharmacy that offers Pfizer vaccinations.
PPHD will offer pediatric vaccines once fully approved by appointment only for those registered through the MyTurn system.
If you need help making an appointment, contact the Pasadena Citizen Service Center at (626) 744-7311, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Meanwhile Public Health officials in Pasadena reported 9 new infections on Wednesday, raising the city’s total to 13,586 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
With no deaths reported Since Oct. 6, the local death toll has remained stable at 363 for four straight weeks, according to city data.
On average, 12.4 new cases were detected daily over the prior week, PPHD records show.
The Pasadena Unified School District listed 26 student infections over the prior week, as well as five among staff members.
Huntington Hospital reported treating 20 admitted COVID-19 patients on Wednesday, with three of them being treated in intensive care units.
Officials at the county level reported 1,605 new infections and 22 deaths on Wednesday, which brought the pandemic totals to 1,496,593 cases of the virus and 26,683 fatalities.
Just over 650 patients were being treated at hospitals for COVID-19 county-wide, according to the LACDPH. Twenty-five percent of them were in ICUs.
Wednesday countywide daily test positivity rate was measured at 1.2%.
The California Department of Public Health announced 3,518 new cases of COVID-19 and 76 deaths on Wednesday, which raised the state’s totals to 4,674,665 infections and 26,683 fatalities.
The statewide weekly positivity rate held steady at 2.2%, according to CDPH data.
As of Wednesday, L.A. County represented 32% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 37% of the state’s deaths.
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