Josh Collins administers a second Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to 19-year-old Nick Chamberlin of Greenwood in May at Compass Park in Franklin.
Daily Journal File Photo
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to some Hoosier children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday authorized the shots in children ages 5 to 11, opening the door to thousands more Johnson County residents. About 18% of the county’s population are school-age children, ages 5 to 17, according to U.S. Census data.
Parents may schedule an appointment for their child starting at 8 a.m. today on the website or by calling 211 or (866) 211-9966 for assistance. The 211 call center cannot make appointments until Thursday, state officials said.
Initial pediatric vaccine supplies may be limited as shipments are expected to arrive on a staggered basis. Individuals are encouraged to make an appointment or call ahead to ensure that a site has vaccines available prior to visiting, officials said.
Hospitals serving Johnson County did not have those vaccines on hand Wednesday, and are not sure when the first vaccines will arrive, hospital officials said.
But vaccinations will be available starting today at the Johnson County Health Department’s clinic at Compass Park in Franklin, said Betsy Swearingen, health department director. The clinic is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday except for Wednesday, when it is open until 6 p.m.
Children 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and that person must consent to the vaccination, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
As of Wednesday, 7.1 million doses have been administered to Hoosiers 12 and older, including 3.3 million first doses and 414,620 booster shots for eligible adults, according to state health department data. About 3.3 million individuals are fully vaccinated.
Expanding the eligible age group to 5- to 11-year-olds is an important step toward keeping the COVID-19 pandemic at bay, state officials said.
“Having a COVID-19 vaccine available to our younger Hoosiers is a game-changer in terms of our efforts to keep children healthy and in school for in-person learning,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said in a statement. “Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine if they are exposed but have no symptoms, so I encourage parents to get their children vaccinated if they are eligible.”
Pfizer’s vaccine trials demonstrated the vaccine to be 90.7% effective and produce immune responses similar to the level seen in teens and adults, though the dosage for children under 12 is lower.
Young children should receive two 10 microgram doses three weeks apart. The doses are 1/3 of what was approved for those ages 12 and up.
The vaccine was studied in approximately 3,100 children and no serious side effects have been reported in the ongoing study, data shows.
Pfizer’s is the only vaccine approved for those 18 and younger.
