Kids Ages 5 to 11 Can Now Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine

This week on the Minnesota Native News Health Report, 5 to 11 year olds can officially get the COVID-19 vaccine, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is highlighting the importance of vaccination after contracting the virus herself, and a vaccination event is being held at a Native American clinic in the Twin Cities. Here’s reporter Cole Premo.

It’s official: 5 to 11 year olds in Minnesota can now receive COVID-19 vaccination.

It comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued formal recommendations for children as young as 5 years old to start receiving the Pfizer vaccine. For this age group, it’s a smaller dose and will come from smaller needles.

According to Gov. Tim Walz, this means 94% of Minnesota’s population is now eligible for the vaccine.

The governor’s office says more than 1,100 providers in Minnesota are prepared to begin administering vaccines to younger children. A community vaccination site at the Mall of America will triple its capacity to allow more children to get vaccinated.

Places like Walmart, Walgreens, Hy-Vee and others are also offering the vaccine for kids.

Medical experts shared their thoughts on the importance of children getting the vaccine in a video from the Minnesota Department of Health, including Twin Cities pediatrician Dr. Andrea Singh.

“Im a pediatrician and a mother of two kids. Sometimes it’s hard as a parent to know what to do to protect your kids’ futures. Getting them COVID vaccine helps. It decreases transmission of COVID in your household. It also protects them from serious illness. If you have any questions, talk to your pediatrician, family doctor. We can do this, Minnesota. Let’s get the vaccine,” she said.

Families are advised to check with their pediatricians or family medicine clinic about appointments. They can also visit mn.gov/vaccine to use the vaccine locator map.

Minnesota has administered more than 7 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, including nearly 500,000 booster shots. About 74% of the state’s 12+ population has received at least one dose.

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In other news, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is highlighting the importance of vaccination after her family recently contracted the virus.

Flanagan, who says she’s fully vaccinated, says her 8-year-old daughter tested positive for COVID-19 in later October, and experienced fever and sniffles. Later, Flanagan said she tested positive.

In a tweet, she said the pandemic is not over and getting vaccinated not only helps you but little kids who are not yet eligible, or who haven’t gotten, the vaccine. At the time, she said her daughter is looking forward to getting the first dose of the vaccine when she feels better. Flanagan will also be getting the booster shot.

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Lastly, the Native American Community Clinic in south Minneapolis is holding a vaccination event on Friday, Nov. 13.

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. that day, those who attend can get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu. COVID-19 booster shots will also be available.

Shots for 5-11 year olds will not yet be available at this event, but the clinic will have that ability starting the week of Nov. 15.

The clinic is located at 1213 East Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.

I’m Cole Premo.