(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Children under 5 are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Following federal approval, the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) endorsed the use of a Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years old and a Moderna vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years old.
“This is exciting and welcomed news for parents, since the so-called “tender age” vaccinations are the last age group to be cleared for COVID-19 shots,” said Adrienne Byrne, Director of the Sedgwick County Health Department. “We are encouraging parents to talk to their child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider about these safe and effective vaccines.”
How to receive the vaccine
For Moderna and Pfizer vaccine availability, please contact your own medical provider or clinic, or visit www.covid.gov.
Later this week, SCHD will begin providing the Pfizer vaccine to children under five without insurance or who have CHIP or Medicaid/KanCare at its Main Clinic, 2716 W. Central. Vaccinations are given by appointment. To schedule, call 316-660-7300. Parent/guardian consent is needed for anyone under 18 to receive a vaccine.
Tender age vaccinations are not offered at SCHD mobile vaccine clinics.
About the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines for Children Under Five
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is given in three doses to children 6 months to 4 years old. The Moderna vaccine is given in two doses to children 6 months to 5 years old.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available for transfer from SCHD to pediatricians and other medical providers, if these providers are registered in the Kansas Immunization program. For more information for medical providers on obtaining COVID-19 vaccine from SCHD, visit https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/information-for-medical-providers-about-obtaining-covid-19-vaccine/.
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