Nov. 3, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone aged 5 years and older after the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) authorized the use for those aged 5-11 on Tuesday.
The CDC endorsement comes a week after the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in youth 5-11.
Pertinent information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for those 5-11 years old:
- Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for those aged 5-11
- Two doses are recommended, with the second dose due three weeks after the first
- The dosage for children aged 5-11 is 1/3rd the size of a standard Pfizer dose
- The vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children aged 5-11
- The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children ages 5-11 who received the vaccine and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study
- More safety information can be found here.
State and federal government officials are working with local pediatricians, pharmacies and health authorities to make the Pfizer age 5-11 COVID-19 vaccine available as soon as possible. Contact your pediatrician for any questions about the vaccine and to see if they administer the vaccine to those 5-11. Other options will become available at area pharmacies soon (find a vaccine provider here) as well as Community Health Alliance. A parent or guardian must accompany a minor to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Walgreens announced that it will start administering COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11 on Saturday, Nov. 6.
- CVS announced it will do the same starting Sunday, Nov. 7.
- Community Health Alliance will start on Monday, Nov. 8
Key dates for COVID-19 vaccine administration for those aged 5-11 at the Washoe County Health District
The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) received the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday and will begin administering it for those aged 5-11 starting Saturday, Nov. 6 on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents must fill out paperwork on site and longer-than-usual wait times are expected.
Below are some key dates for parents interested in having their child vaccinated for COVID-19.
- Saturday, Nov. 6 & Nov. 13 — 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at inside the main clinic at 1001 E. 9th Street, Building B
- This is inside the Health District and not the drive-through service at Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
- First come, first served – no appointments required
- About 300 vaccines will be available for 5-11
- Vaccines will also be given to those 12+
- All other COVID-19 vaccines (first/second dose, booster, third/fourth dose for immunocompromised) and brands (Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)) will be available. See the schedule for WCHD community vaccine events here.
Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) booster appointments can now be made at Livestock Events Center, Community Vaccine Events
All three COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) are now available as boosters in Washoe County and appointments are available through this scheduling platform.
Per the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), eligible people can receive any of the three vaccines as a booster, which has been referred to a “mix and match” approach, though the CDC or FDA did not recommend one over another. Residents with health concerns should seek guidance from their doctor.
Per the CDC, those who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series are eligible for a single dose booster if they are:
- At least 6 months from completion of previous doses
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
Those who received the Janssen vaccine are eligible for boosters if they are:
- At least 2 months from completion of previous dose
- Age 18+
Residents who want a booster can find a provider by clicking on this link, which includes most pharmacy locations in the area. Community Health Alliance is providing Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters at its health centers and already has Pfizer boosters available, which were authorized in September.
As of 12/20/2021 WCHD is offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those ages 5-11 Monday through Friday except for Holidays.
Vaccines will be given at the Washoe County Health District Building B. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 775-328-2427
You can also visit our community vaccine events page to find other vaccine locations to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome at our community events.
The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. While press releases are only sent periodically for significant events, you can always get daily results on our website, https://covid19washoe.com/, our COVID-19 Dashboard or by following us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s.