FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2022
COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Everyone Six Months and Older
MILWAUKEE – Following the approvals and recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including endorsement by Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) is excited to announce pediatric Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months of age and older will be available at all MHD COVID-19 vaccination sites beginning Thursday, June 23.
Parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to better protect them from COVID-19. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated.
“This is a significant step in protecting all Milwaukeeans from COVID-19,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “Getting your little ones vaccinated means they can stay in school, daycare, and summer camps. It means they can help protect their classmates, friends, family members, neighbors, and teachers. It means parents and guardians can breathe easier knowing their youngest children will be protected. I strongly recommend vaccinating this newly-eligible group as soon as possible and ensuring everyone in your household is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters. Together we can keep our community safe and healthy.”
COVID-19 is a real threat to young children. During the Omicron surge this winter, children under five years old were hospitalized at a rate 5 times greater than when Delta was the dominant variant, and COVID-19 is among the leading causes of death for children in this age group. The clinical studies for these vaccines included more than 4,500 children in the Pfizer study and more than 6,300 children in the Moderna study, including children who had been previously infected with COVID-19. In both studies, vaccinated children saw fewer infections. Vaccines reduced the rate of ANY infection by between 37-80% and are expected to decrease the rate of severe illness, hospitalization, and death for those who do become infected.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age is a three dose series. The first and second doses are separated by three to eight weeks and the second and third doses are separated by at least eight weeks. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age is a two dose series, with the second dose administered four to eight weeks after the first.
Both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are available for all currently eligible age groups at the Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Rd.), Southside Health Center (1639 S. 23rd St.), and Menomonee Valley Site (2401 W. St. Paul Ave.) with no appointment needed. Hours of operation and more information on the COVID-19 vaccine are available at Milwaukee.gov/covidvax. Parents and caregivers may additionally consider their primary care pediatrician, local pharmacy, or community health center to get their children vaccinated. More vaccination locations are available at vaccines.gov.
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