Cincinnati Children’s providing free COVID vaccine boosters to kids 12 or older, some 5-11 who are immunocompromised

Thursday, January 06, 2022

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has begun providing free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine boosters to kids 12 or older as well as some younger children who are immunocompromised. The medical center strongly recommends such boosters.

The Pfizer-BioNTech booster is available at Cincinnati Children’s vaccine clinics for anyone 12 or older who completed a two-dose series of Pfizer at least five months ago.

In addition, moderately or severely immunocompromised 5- to 11-year-olds may receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their second shot. Cincinnati Children’s encourages anyone with a child in this most vulnerable population to receive the vaccine as soon as eligible after completion of the initial series.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for kids 5-11, and Cincinnati Children’s expanded availability of booster shots following federal approval Jan. 5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults or children eligible for a third dose or a booster get one as soon as possible to guard against COVID.

“We have an incredible opportunity to boost immunity across our community,” said Susan Wade-Murphy, RN, assistant vice president for Patient Services, who oversees COVID vaccination clinics at Cincinnati Children’s. “Our clinics are ready to vaccinate. Appointments are available at all sites, and walk-ins are welcome during specified times at our main campus in Avondale. Please check the Cincinnati Children’s website for details.”

Make an appointment to receive the Pfizer COVID vaccine.

A vaccine clinic at the Avondale campus of Cincinnati Children’s includes walk-in hours Wednesdays (4:30 to 6 p.m.). The clinic is geared to kids ages 5 or older, but adults may also receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine at no charge. Also, walk-ins will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 8, at a vaccine clinic at the Avondale campus.

“As Omicron spreads rapidly across our region and kids return to school and ancillary activities, the time to vaccinate is now,” Wade-Murphy said. “Evidence demonstrates the value of COVID vaccination in all populations – against both the Delta and Omicron variants. We gave thousands of Pfizer vaccines to the 12-15 age group in the summer of 2021. These youths are now booster eligible if it has been five months since their last COVID vaccine.”

Cincinnati Children’s encourages getting a booster even if you recently had COVID, but only if you are feeling well. You should wait at least 10 days after a positive test.

Clinical trials at Cincinnati Children’s demonstrated that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective.