The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Covid-19 vaccines for children age 6 months through 5 years of age on Saturday, June 18, paving the way for vaccinating the youngest Vermonters later this month.
“This is very welcome news for the parents and caregivers who have been waiting for more than a year now for their young children to benefit from a Covid-19 vaccine,” said Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine. “Vaccines are the safer way to build protection against the virus and help prevent serious outcomes.”
Both the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been authorized for use. Providers will begin receiving the vaccines this week, but will have their own plans for administering them, so parents and caregivers should expect to hear from their child’s pediatrician when they are ready to begin vaccinations.
“Pediatricians are a trusted resource for parents, and they can answer questions and provide a familiar, comfortable setting for children to be vaccinated,” Levine said.
There are about 26,000 children age 6 months through 4 years old in Vermont who will now be eligible for vaccination.
“This is an important and welcomed step forward,” said Governor Scott. “Vermont has led the nation in vaccination uptake, especially among our youth. I’m confident Vermont parents and caregivers will continue to step up in this new phase of our vaccination efforts.”
The Health Department will also offer the vaccines at a limited number of walk-in clinics, including at equity-focused clinics. There is no registration for these clinics. Some pharmacies will also carry the vaccine, but can only vaccinate children age 3 and up.
For more info visit healthvermont.gov/KidsVaccine.
