ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO OFFER COVID-19 VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 MONTHS TO UNDER 5 YEARS

Pediatric practices & and medical offices can order vaccine directly from ECDOH

ERIE COUNTY – Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent authorization for COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 6 months to under 5 years old, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) will provide COVID-19 vaccines for this age group starting Wednesday, June 29.

“We have public health nurses and pharmacists who are trained and comfortable giving vaccines to these very young children,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “And while we are prepared to be part in vaccine administration for this group, we are also relying on our local pediatricians, primary care providers and pharmacies to play a key role in providing this vaccine as a safe and effective preventive measure for their patients and families.”

“As we have since last year, our department redistributes COVID-19 vaccine on request to local medical providers,” Dr. Burstein continued. “Already, we have had pediatric practices placing orders and preparing to vaccinate their patients. We strongly encourage parents and caregivers to call their child’s pediatrician or primary care provider and ask about vaccine availability, and how they could incorporate COVID-19 vaccine into their next well-child visit.”

Parents and caregivers can bring their children to the Jesse Nash Health Center at 608 William Street in Buffalo on Wednesdays starting June 29. This vaccine clinic is open weekdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on days that the ECDOH clinics are open. Appointments are strongly recommended; make an appointment online at www.erie.gov/vax. Masks are required at this site for individuals age 2 years and older who are able to medically tolerate a face covering. Parents and caregivers should bring the child’s birth certificate or other identifying documentation. ECDOH may adjust scheduled days based on demand. At this time, COVID-19 vaccine for ages 6 months to under 5 years old will only be at select mobile sites; those sites will be indicated on the vaccine clinic calendar at www.erie.gov/vax.

Also, the Erie County Vax Visit program will vaccinate anyone ages 6 months and older starting Monday, June 27. The Vax Visit program provides COVID-19 vaccine – first doses, second doses and boosters – at home for any Erie County resident. Call (716) 858-2929 to be scheduled for a Vax Visit.

Additional Information: The American Academy of Pediatrics published a set of questions and answers on what parents should know about COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5.

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• ECDOH, COVID-19 Testing: http://www.erie.gov/covid/covid-19-testing
• ECDOH, COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics: www.erie.gov/vax
• ECDOH COVID-19 Information Line: (716) 858-2929

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