As part of our St. Luke’s community, we’re pleased to share that the FDA and CDC have granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine to the 5-11-year-old age group. Parents may now schedule their children (ages 5-11) for the vaccine.
We, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, fully support this decision. With the Delta variant infecting young children with COVID in unprecedented numbers in recent months, vaccinating our children is a critical step in protecting them from the disease and its complications and also in helping our children continue to participate in school and sports.
Some important things to know:
- This is for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine only at this time.
- The vaccine is a reduced dose given in two shots three weeks apart. The 5-11 year old dosing is 1/3 of the standard (12+ years old) dose.
- Separate phase 3 clinical trials completed in this age group showed the vaccine to be safe and comparable in effectiveness to the vaccine for older recipients in previous trials.
We want to make this vaccination process as easy as possible for your students and parents; please note the following:
- A signed permission slip from the parent /guardian will be needed for the first vaccine; a parent can have another person bring their child for the vaccine.
- Scheduling can be done in several convenient ways:
- 1-866-STLUKES, option 7 – Your number will be verified, and you will receive a call back in the order your call was received.
- Calling your SLUHN pediatric or family practice PCP—the staff at the office can schedule your 5-11-year-old over the phone
- MyChart
- There will be designated sites dedicated ONLY for the 5-11 year-age group. For up-to-date hours and locations, please visit COVID & Kids.
- St. Luke’s Center Valley Health Center, Center Valley
- St. Luke’s West End Medical Center, Allentown
- St. Luke’s Wind Gap Medical Center, Wind Gap
- Star Community Health – Sigal Center, Allentown
- As a reminder, children 12-17 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated can still get their COVID vaccine at select sites. Please check COVID - Vaccine Clinic Locations (slhn.org) for our current locations and hours for individuals 12+.
Vaccine studies for ages 6 months through less than 5 years are ongoing. I will share that information with you as soon as it is available; right now, timelines suggest that may happen in early 2022.
Our St. Luke’s pediatricians and family medicine providers are happy to answer any and all questions you may have regarding the vaccine. We know many of you are eager to have your students and children vaccinated, and we are just as eager to get them vaccinated and protected. Thank you for continued commitment to our children’s health.
Yours in good health,
Jennifer Janco, MD Dianne Jacobetz, MD
Chair of Pediatrics Regional Medical Director, Pediatrics
St. Luke’s University Health Network St. Luke’s University Health Network
