COVID vaccine now available for children 5 and older

MACON, Georgia (KBTV)- Atrium Health Navicent is now offering COVID- 19 vaccines for children aged 5 and older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that children aged 5 through 11 be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. COVID-19 cases in children can result in hospitalizations, death, long-term complications such as long-COVID and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare, but serious condition associated with COVID-19 and other viral infections in which different body parts – such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs – become inflamed.

Vaccines have previously been approved for use in children 12 and older, and adults. Vaccination was nearly 91 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5 through 11 in clinical trials.

Atrium Health Navicent President and CEO Delvecchio Finley says, “As a parent and a health care executive, I’m excited that the younger children in our community now have the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Although the number of local cases has decreased, it’s still crucial that everyone aged 5 and older takes advantage of the protection afforded by a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination remains our proven best method to reduce the spread of this deadly pandemic. Get vaccinated today to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 through 11 are available by appointment at:

• Atrium Health Navicent Primary Care West Macon, 3780 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon • Atrium Health Navicent Children’s Care Downtown Macon, in their new location at 1014 Forsyth Street, Suite 100, Macon.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, or booster appointment, visit COVIDSafeGa.org. Vaccine availability is allocated and managed by the state. A parent or guardian must accompany minors to all vaccine appointments.