The DMV prepares to vaccinate kids against COVID-19
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D.C. is preparing to vaccinate roughly 46,000 newly eligible children from the ages of 5 to 11, after the two-dose pediatric Pfizer vaccine was given final approval by the CDC on Tuesday.
Driving the news: This vaccine, which was studied in more than 3,000 children, is a third of the dosage given to those ages 12 and up.
D.C. officials on Tuesday night unveiled the locations of more than 60 pharmacies, hospitals and health clinics that will be receiving doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine. D.C. is expected to receive an initial 24,600 doses, which will go to more than 60 pharmacies, hospitals, and health centers.
- While vaccinations can start Tuesday, DC Health says some of these locations may not start vaccinating until later this week.
More than 30 public schools are also offering pop-up clinics in the coming weeks for first doses, with the earliest clinic scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 7.
- Children’s National Hospital tells Axios it will have three invite-only vaccine clinics for its high-risk patients and will also offer a mobile vaccine unit.
Details: Patrick Ashley, senior deputy director for D.C.’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration, told the D.C. Council on Friday that parents must be on-site when their kids receive vaccines and that school nurses will not be used to administer shots.
- DC Health says parents will not have to pre-register their kids at these sites and most will be first-come, first-served.
Zoom out: Prince George’s County is expected to receive 11,100 doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine within one-to-five days of authorization being granted, health department spokesperson George Lettis tells Axios, just over half of the county’s initial order of 20,000 doses.
- Prince George’s County kids can be able to get their vaccines at select public schools as well at the Sports and Learning Complex clinic, with locations and times to be announced soon. A list of clinics currently available can be found here.
Fairfax County has ordered enough vaccine supply for its 97,000 eligible children, says Lucy Caldwell, director of communications with the county health department.
- These doses will go to pharmacies, pediatricians, and medical providers as well as to smaller vaccine pop-ups at schools, community centers, and houses of worship. There will be three mass vaccination sites at the Government Center, South County Government Center, and the Tysons Corner Community Vaccination Center.
The city of Alexandria says vaccine appointments will be available on a rolling basis as it will not receive enough doses for all 12,500 eligible kids at first.
- When supply arrives, appointments will be available first at Alexandria’s large vaccination clinics on weekends and evenings, although smaller community clinics and potentially clinics at schools are being arranged.
Montgomery County officials said last week the county is expecting 40,000 doses that it anticipates making available to pediatricians and pharmacies, with the health department likely to run large clinics available to families after the workday and on weekends.
- The Montgomery County public school system says it plans to offer a number of clinics for kids.
Arlington County is still waiting on information from the Virginia health department on the number of doses it will receive and plans on making vaccines available at health clinics, pharmacies, and provider offices.