Blue Ridge Health District Offering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11
On November 2, 2021, the CDC accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children ages 5 to 11 be vaccinated against COVID-19. Beginning Saturday, November 6, 2021, the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) will begin to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, following guidance from CDC and FDA. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children and will be administered as a 2-dose series taken 3 weeks apart. The dose for children ages 5-11 is one-third of the dosage of the vaccine for older adolescents and adults.
 
Because the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has been planning for the expansion of vaccine eligibility and availability, families will have many options for where to get their children the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines for 5-11 year olds will be available in BRHD at:

  • Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at Seminole Square (393 Hillsdale Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22901) - Vaccines are available by appointment only; no walk-ins for ages 5-11 are available. Appointments are now in the VASE+ system for people to schedule appointments starting starting Saturday, November 6. See below for instructions on how to make an appointment at the CVC (search here with zip code 22901).
  • UVA Health Vaccination Center - UVA Health is vaccinating 5-11-year-olds at the Battle Building on West Main Street in Charlottesville, by appointment. Appointments can be made through UVA MyChart or by calling 434-297-4829. This is for all community members, not just UVA patients. Learn more about UVA Health’s plans here.
  • Pediatric Offices - Contact your child’s pediatrician for more information on vaccination efforts and availability.
  • School-based Vaccine Clinics hosted by BRHD - BRHD is working with school administrators throughout the District to provide vaccines at school-based clinics to those most in need. Schools will be in contact with parents regarding these efforts.  
  • Pharmacies and Other Providers - Visit Vaccines.gov to find other providers offering COVID vaccines for 5-11 year olds.

Appointments will be limited during the first three weeks when vaccines are first available for 5-11year olds. However, supply will increase and appointments will continue to become more readily available. As vaccine roll out expands, future vaccination sites may include additional mobile/neighborhood vaccine clinics, pediatric offices, family practice offices, retail pharmacies, and more.  
 
Currently, vaccines for 5-11 year olds in BRHD are by appointment only; no walk-ins are available. Those wishing to get their children vaccinated at the Community Vaccination Center (CVC located at Seminole Square, 393 Hillsdale Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22901) can sign up for an appointment online using the zip code 22901 or call the BRHD COVID-19 Hotline at 434-972-6261 (open M-F 8am-4:30pm). Individuals may also find vaccine resources by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). TTY users can call 711. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.
 
Everyone 5 years and older is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Blue Ridge Health District encourages all Virginians to get their vaccination if they haven’t already done so. For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.
Commonly Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds
 
Why should my child get vaccinated?
Medical and public health experts, including the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that children and adolescents age 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect them from contracting and spreading the virus.
 
The vaccine is the best way to protect children from becoming severely ill or developing long-lasting health impacts due to COVID-19. COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19. While children and adolescents are typically at lower risk than adults of becoming severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19, it is still possible.
 
Another important reason for children to get the COVID-19 vaccine is to protect their friends, family, and the broader community from the spread of the virus. As vaccination rates increase, the lower the chances that the coronavirus will mutate into dangerous variants.
 
Is the COVID vaccine safe for children?
Yes! Keeping children safe and healthy is top of mind for parents, and scientists have worked to ensure the vaccine is safe for children ages 5-17. Before being authorized for children, scientists and medical experts completed their review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials of thousands of children. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was rigorously tested and reviewed, and more than 11 million adolescents ages 12-17 have already received the COVID-19 vaccine. As of November 2, the Pfizer vaccine is also authorized for children ages 5-11.
Data from trials will continue to be collected for two years after each vaccine is first administered to ensure that they are safe for the long term. As with all vaccines, there will be ongoing monitoring among people who are vaccinated.
 
Will children experience any side effects from the vaccine? I’ve heard about myocarditis.
Side effects to the COVID-19 vaccines are typically mild and subside in one to two days — like soreness in the arm, fatigue, headaches, or a slight fever.
 
The risk of a child having a serious adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine is very low. One rare complication that has been linked to the COVID-19 vaccine is myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), and data demonstrates a higher risk for such inflammation among younger males. However, reports of these complications are rare. Myocarditis is historically less prevalent in young children versus adolescents and young adults. The risk of developing myocarditis after a COVID-19 infection is much higher than the risk of developing myocarditis after the vaccine. 
 
If you have questions about how to protect your children from COVID-19, about the vaccines, or about myocarditis, speak to your health care provider or pediatrician.
 
Visit the CDC website to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 year olds.