Children under age 5 eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
Posted on Jun 27, 2022 in Capitol Connection, Featured, Main
Keiki under age 5 can now be protected from COVID-19 with vaccinations.
The state Department of Health is expecting delivery of 27,500 doses of the new keiki vaccines being distributed to hospitals, pediatricians’ offices, and clinics. Pharmacies and community health centers will receive additional vaccine shipments directly from the manufacturers. Vaccines for keiki under five will be available on all islands.
“Vaccines continue to offer our best protection against COVID-19 and now keiki as young as six-months old can benefit from that same protection. Parents with questions about COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to ask their healthcare providers for guidance,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. Vaccination locations are listed on the vaccine page at hawaiicovid19.com. Families should also check with their own pediatricians for availability.
The new Pfizer vaccine is specially made for children six months through four years of age and will be administered in a three-shot series. There should be three weeks between the first and second shots. The third shot is to be given at least two months after the second shot. Each dose is one-tenth the dose of the Pfizer vaccine given to adults.
The new Moderna vaccine is for children six months through five years of age and will be administered in a two-shot series. The second shot is to be given at least four weeks after the first shot. Each dose is a quarter of the Moderna dose given to adults.