Ten mass vaccination sites across New York now offer Pfizer's low-doze COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Saturday.
The expanding distribution of vaccines for some of the youngest New Yorkers adds to the combined network of pediatricians, family physicians, county health departments, pharmacies and other providers already administering doses. More than 50,000 children across the state have already received their first shot of the two-dose vaccine.
According to the state's announcement, ten of New York State's mass vaccination sites are now offering the Pfizer dose of children under 12, but the rest of the locations will come online with the appropriate shots "in the days ahead."
Here are the current state-run sites equipped with the shot for children:
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- 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
"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 and now I'm directing our state mass vaccination sites to open their doors to the youngest and most recently eligible New Yorkers," Hochul said in a statement.
Previously, parents of kids ages 5 to 11 who tried to schedule an appointment on the state's website received a message that said children were not eligible for shots at mass vaccination sites. Now, parents and guardians can schedule an appointment here.
The New York State Department of Health has already released clinical guidance regarding Pfizer's lower-dose COVID vaccine for kids under 12 and also launched a website dedicated to helping parents navigate the system.
The website, ny.gov/Vaxforkids, offers answers to frequently asked questions for the newly eligible age group -- kids aged 5 to 11 -- and provides a wealth of resources for those seeking additional information.
New York City and New Jersey Vaccine Providers
Click on each provider to find more information on scheduling appointments for the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Data: City of New York, State of New Jersey • Nina Lin / NBC
New York City-run vaccine sites began accepting kids aged 5 to 11 last week -- and kids in that group who do get dosed at those sites are eligible for $100 bonuses.
Both walk-ins and appointments are accepted.
Getting these younger kids their first doses now allows plenty of time to have them fully protected before Christmas. Kids have to wait three weeks between doses, just like everyone else, but even if they won't be fully inoculated by Thanksgiving, one dose still offers some added protection for travel or family gatherings, officials say.
