(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) will now offer COVID-19 vaccine boosters for 5- to 11-year-olds who have completed their primary vaccination series at least five months ago. Since the pandemic began, more than 4.8 million elementary-aged children have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of those, 15,000 have been hospitalized and more than 180 have died.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) expanded the eligibility of booster shots to enhance this age group’s protection from COVID-19.
With cases steadily increasing across the country, the CDC also strengthened its recommendation for second booster shots for people over age 50 and for those people 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
“We continue to stress the importance COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 5 and up, including booster shots,” says Adrienne Byrne, Director of SCHD. “Vaccination is our best defense to protect lives and stop the spread of COVID-19.”
SCHD offers no-cost Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines at Mobile Vaccination Clinics around Sedgwick County. No appointments are necessary.
SCHD also offers COVID-19 vaccines by appointment to people without insurance or children with CHIP or Medicaid/KanCare at SCHD’s Main Clinic located at 2716 W. Central by calling 316-660-7300.
Parent/guardian consent is needed to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for people less than 18 years old. An attestation form is signed to receive a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine if a person is moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Additional information from CDC: CDC Strengthens Recommendations and Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC
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