Select mass vaccination sites across New York state are now administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11.
“Parents have been waiting for the ability to protect their young children from COVID-19, and we are doing everything we can to make that possible,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
Following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children in this age group, New York State’s Clinical Advisory Task Force endorsed the CDC recommendation.
Pfizer’s vaccine study had enrolled more than 4,600 children from ages 5-to-11-year-olds; 2-to-5-year-olds; and infants from 6 months up to age 2. The study compares the vaccine against a placebo injection to learn if the vaccine can produce an immune response against COVID-19. Parents or guardians of the child being given the vaccine will need to track any side effects they may have. They will be given an electronic diary, or they can download a secure app on their smartphone.
With the study having promising results, Hochul announced that 10 mass vaccination sites will be administering the Pfizer vaccine to those ages 5 to 11.
While vaccines are available for children at select vaccination sites across New York, parents and guardians are also able to make appointments through their child’s pediatrician, family physician, local county health department, FQHC, or pharmacy.
“Since this 5 to 11 year-old age group became eligible, we have been encouraging parents to reach out to their pediatricians and local health providers to set up vaccine appointments,” Hochul said. “And now, I’m directing our state mass vaccination sites to open their doors to the youngest and most recently eligible New Yorkers.”
Sites administering vaccines for 5 to 11 year-olds:
- The Great New York State Fair – Art and Home Center, Syracuse
- SUNY Old Westbury – Clark Athletic Center, Glen Head
- Crossgates Mall, Former Lord & Taylor Store – Upper Level, Albany
- Aqueduct Racetrack, South Ozone Park
- Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, Rochester
- Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn
- Bay Eden Senior Center, Bronx
- New York National Guard Armory, Yonkers
- SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook
- University at Buffalo South Campus, Buffalo
Parents and guardians can make appointments at state mass vaccination sites here. Additionally, parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their child’s pediatrician, family physician, health centers, pharmacies or other providers for vaccination information and to schedule appointments.
