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On Tuesday, many St. Louis parents got the news they had been waiting for: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky endorsed the agency’s recommendation that children 5 to 11 be vaccinated against COVID-19 using the pediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. In a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden said that his administration had secured enough pediatric vaccines for every child in the 5 to 11 age group, which is approximately 28 million children. The Biden administration has already begun the process of shipping the vaccines throughout the country. Parents can expect the vaccination program to be fully up and running next week.
According to the CDC, children 5 to 11 receive one-third of the dose of the Pfizer vaccine given to adults. The pediatric vaccine uses smaller needles designed for children, and kids receive two doses of the vaccine. The second dose is given three weeks after the first. Two weeks after the second dose, children are considered fully vaccinated.
As of Wednesday morning, the state’s COVID-19 vaccine locator was still scheduling vaccines only for those 12 and older. But St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page held a briefing to detail the county’s plan for vaccinating children. Beginning Saturday, children will be able to receive their first dose at the John C. Murphy Health Center in Berkeley (6121 N. Hanley). Next week, the vaccinations continue at all three Department of Public Health centers and at four library branches.
Here are more details about where to find a vaccine for your child in St. Louis County:
Saturday clinics will be held throughout November, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at John C. Murphy Health Center.
Parents can find vaccines until 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the South County Health Center in Sunset Hills. That clinic runs through November 23.
At the Lewis & Clark branch of the county library, vaccines will be available from 1–7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
At the Natural Bridge branch, vaccines will be offered 1–7 p.m. on Thursdays.
At the Florissant Valley branch, the vaccines will be available 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Fridays.
At the Rock Road branch, vaccines will be offered 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Appointments are recommended for these clinics, but walk-ins are welcome. As more details become available, they will be posted on Revive STL County. The county’s Department of Public Health has set up a line for parents to call with questions regarding vaccinating their children. That number is 314-615-7967.
As of Wednesday, the city had not announced plans for vaccinating children, but health director Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis tweeted that the city would be working with community partners, federally qualified health centers, city schools, and health care providers to ensure equitable access to the vaccines.
Vaccines for children 6 months to 4 years have not been approved by the CDC.
