Contra Costa County now offering COVID-19 vaccines for littles | Lafayette | Moraga

Contra Costa County has announced that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now being offered to children ages 6 months to 4 years old at county-run vaccination clinics.

According to Supervisor Candace Andersen, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recently authorized pediatric versions of Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines for this age group. Previously, only children between the ages of 5-17 and adults were eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

The pediatric COVID-19 vaccines come in smaller doses than the adult vaccines. Pfizer's vaccine for this age group is a three-dose series: the first two doses are spaced three weeks apart and the third dose is given eight weeks after that. Moderna offers a two-dose series with each shot given one month apart.

"Vaccines are our best defense against severe disease from COVID. While kids tend to get less sick from COVID-19 than adults, they can still get seriously ill from the virus," said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, health officer for the county. "COVID is now one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States," Tzvieli said, concluding, "Vaccination is the best way to reduce health risks to kids."

An estimated 60,000 county residents are in the newly eligible age group. Parents and guardians can schedule vaccination appointments at county-run vaccination sites or with their children's regular healthcare provider. Children must have consent from a parent or adult guardian to receive the vaccine.

Contra Costa Health is also planning a series of mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with local child-development organizations in the coming weeks and will provide more details about those mobile clinics in the future. More information about vaccines for kids and appointments for vaccinations are available from the county at www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/vaccine-for-kids

In addition, members of Kaiser Permanente can also receive vaccinations for young children. Visit the county website (above) for more information or call the KP COVID InfoLine at 1-855-550-0951 (available in English and Spanish) 24/7 for regular recorded updates.



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