Local news- Press Release
Prince George s County Maryland - Children 6 Months and Older Eligible for COVID 19 Vaccinations 24 June 2022 ( news )
Prince George s County , state Maryland ( By Press Release office)
Jun 24,2022
| 25| 2
Health Department recommends infants , toddlers , and preschoolers get vaccinated .
LARGO , MD
– Following reviews of clinical trial data , the
U . S . Food and Drug Administration
( FDA ) and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
( CDC ) authorized and recommended Pfizer and Moderna COVID - 19 vaccines for children 6 months through 5 years old . Data show both vaccine brands provide safe and effective defenses for this age group against COVID - 19 infection and its most severe symptoms .
The Pfizer vaccine is a three - dose series for children 6 months through 4 years old . The first and second doses are administered three weeks apart , and the third is administered two months later . The dosage is one - tenth the strength of the adult version . Pfizer’s COVID - 19 vaccine is already authorized for use in individuals 5 and older .
Moderna’s first pediatric COVID - 19 vaccine is for children 6 months through 5 years old . It is a two - dose series administered four weeks apart at one - quarter the strength of adult doses; the Moderna vaccine is already authorized for individuals 18 and older .
“It is exciting some of our youngest Prince Georgians can get the protection they need to reduce their chances of getting COVID - 19 and , if infected , reduce the severity of their symptoms , ” said Prince George’s County Health Officer Dr . Ernest Carter . “As a pediatrician and your Health Officer , I recommend County families vaccinate their babies , toddlers and preschoolers against COVID - 19 as soon as possible . Younger children are usually spared the worst effects of COVID - 19 , but severe cases and deaths still occur . During the highly contagious Omicron wave , the hospitalization rate of children under 5 years old was higher than any previous point in the pandemic . ”
The Health Department encourages families , especially those with young children , get vaccinated at their pediatrician’s office where the environment is more familiar and comfortable . COVID - 19 vaccine for these ages will also be available at retail pharmacies ,
federally qualified health centers
and other health care providers across the County and the State .
Health Department clinics will offer COVID - 19 vaccinations by appointment only for County residents and County employees and their families . Department clinics typically focus on providing clinical services to residents who are underinsured , uninsured , and those who are insured under
Medical Assistance
.
Visit
health . mypgc . us/covidvaccine
or
covidvax . maryland . gov
to locate vaccine providers and make appointments . Residents may also call Maryland’s GoVAX Call Center at 1 - 855 - MD - GOVAX .
The department recommends
you and your family or housemates get tested
if anyone is feeling sick or has been exposed to someone with COVID - 19 . If positive , please stay home for at least five days and follow
CDC isolation guidance
. COVID - 19 testing and treatment are
available at pharmacies
across the region as part of the federal government’s
Test - To - Treat program
.
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