CitizensNet Newsletter: Houston Health Department rolling out pediatric COVID-19 vaccine

CitizensNet Newsletter: Houston Health Department rolling out pediatric COVID-19 vaccine | 11-04-2021
HOUSTON – Children as young as five can get vaccinated against COVID-19 at Houston Health Department vaccination sites starting Friday, November 5, 2021.

Free vaccinations are available at the department’s health centers, some multi-service centers, and pop-up sites across Houston. The sites do not require appointments or insurance.

Vaccines will be available at thousands of pediatric healthcare provider offices, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and more as the rollout ramps up over the coming days.

Getting children vaccinated will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications.

“This is another huge milestone in the fight to save more lives from this deadly virus and overcome the pandemic,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston. “While children generally recover from COVID-19, some get sick enough to require hospitalization and suffer long-term health consequences. By reducing COVID-19 cases among children, there will be fewer disruptions to in-person learning and increased protection for the community.”

On Tuesday evening, the CDC authorized Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 following FDA evaluation of clinical trial data demonstrating the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness for the age group.

Data show the vaccine is over 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5-11.

Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is one-third the dose as the adult dosage and administered in two shots at least three weeks apart.

After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, children may have side effects such as a sore arm, headache, and fatigue. These mild side effects are normal signs their body is building protection and should go away in a few days.

“It’s natural for parents to have questions and concerns about the health and well-being of their children,” said Dr. Persse. “We encourage parents to speak with their child’s doctor about how COVID-19 vaccines have the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.”

Vaccination of children at health department sites requires parental consent, available at the time of vaccination.

The department’s pop-up sites frequently include schools, and it will expand school partnerships with the rollout of the vaccine for the 5-11 age group.

Visit houstonhealth.org or call 832-393-4220 to find a nearby free vaccination site or schedule an appointment.

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By MARIA.CASTRO.CALZADA

A PROUD product of and Mother of 2 children in/from Houston Public Schools; married to my high school sweetheart, Paul, since 1998. I have been a Full-time Board Certified Physician Assistant for over 22 years and a Texas Licensed Medical Provider for over 20 years in Infectious Diseases, Wound Care, and Hyperbaric Medicine. I have been a Member of The Houston Women Leaders Association since 2020 and a Small Business Owner. I’ve been a Member of AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) and TAPA (Texas Academy of Physician Assistants) since 1998 and continue to serve as a member of the TAPA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee since 2020. I am the current CVHS (Carnegie Vanguard High School) PTO President, was the 2-year 2020-2022 CVHS PTO VP Communications and served from 2018-2021 on the Senior Awards Committee and Chaired the committee from 2019-2021; I was also the Senior Class Parent for Carnegie Class of 2022. I am a Girl Scout Troop Co-Leader/First Aider and have been since 2013; I am a Past President of Emerson Elementary PTO 2009-2013. I am an outspoken LGBTQ+ Ally, Houston Pride365’s Volunteer of The Year 2021 & Houston Pride365’s Medical and Safety Lead Officer 2022, a Sustaining Member of PFLAG since 2016, GLMA since 2020, The LBGT PA Caucus since 2019, and The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus since 2021. I was Campaign Manager to Judicial Candidate Paul Calzada for the 312th District Court in 2021; a past HCDP Precinct Chair 2012-2015, Our Revolution Harris County Endorsement Committee Member 2021-2022, current Harris County Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar 2020-Present, Harris County SD 15 State Delegate 2020 & 2022, current JoltInitiative.org Volunteer; Madrina Level Donor, 2020-present. 1st Generation American, Bilingual Spanish Speaker, PALH (Physician Associates For Latino Health/Heritage) Sustaining Member, since 2000. UT Football Fan, 18-year Season Ticket Holder 🤘 Lifetime Texas Ex; TEHC (Texas Exes Houston Chapter) Board Member, TEHC Communications Chair, 2022-present; TEHC Student Sendoff Committee Member, 2020-present; and TEHC Scholarship Selection Committee Member, 2020-present. A lover of South American red wines and American South Bourbons.

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