Vaccines for Children 5 to 11 Years Old
Earlier this week, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The doses, which have been found to be 90% effective in preventing infections in this age group, could begin to be administered next week pending additional approval from the CDC (Connecticut has already ordered 100,000 vaccine doses for children).
CLICK HERE for more information and resources for Connecticut families to use when deciding where to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Booster Shots for Adults
The news about vaccines for children comes in conjunction with the approval of booster shots made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Pfizer has already been approved to distribute booster shots.)
Individuals 65 and older (as well as those 18 and older who work in high-risk settings or have underlying health conditions) who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are eligible for booster shots at least six months after their second dose. Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are eligible if they are 18 and older and were vaccinated at least two months ago.
To help ensure all local residents are able to receive their booster shot, the Connecticut River Area Health District is offering Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine shots beginning this week. To schedule an appointment, visit www.crahd.info. To find additional sites, visit https://covidvaccinefinder.ct.gov.
I suggest starting with one of two excellent local resources: Nutmeg Pharmacy or the Middletown Health Department's clinic, run in cooperation with the Middletown Ministerial Alliance, the Ministerial Health Fellowship and the City of Middletown. These organizations have gone above and beyond in helping keep our community safe, and I am deeply grateful to Nutmeg Pharmacist Greg McKenna and his dedicated staff; and to the Middletown clinic's Acting Director Kevin Elak, Pastor Robyn Anderson and the Cross Street AME Zion Church, and Nurse Consultant Cindy Lignar, RN. |
