SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(Press Release) – Sanford Health will begin administering Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 6 months to 4 years Friday, June 24. This is the final group in the U.S. that has been approved to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“This is a joyous moment as most of our youngest patients will now have the opportunity to be protected from COVID-19 with a vaccine,” said Dr. Candice Nelson, a pediatrician at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. “Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be safe and effective for this age group. COVID-19 is not going away, and the data is showing this vaccine will reduce the risk of hospitalization and even death in children.”
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the vaccine Saturday, June 18, following a vote by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The authorization gives federal approval for children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine for this age group is a three-dose series. The first two shots are administered three to eight weeks apart and the third is given at least eight weeks after the second dose.
“The anticipation is over for this age group. We celebrate today as we reach this milestone where everyone 6 months and older now has the opportunity to receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Katie Larson, a pediatrician at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. “The vaccine will continue to be the safest and most effective tool to fight this virus. As more variants of COVID-19 are inevitable, it’s important for families to take this opportunity to protect their kids.”
Vaccine availability varies by region. Parents and guardians can begin scheduling their children June 24 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Sanford Health primary care locations. Appointments are preferred and can be made through My Sanford Chart or by calling your preferred Sanford Health clinic.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit sanfordhealth.org and the CDC.