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When and where can you get vaccines for kids 5-11 in Northeast Georgia?
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Visitors to the Gainesville Civic Center get flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, during an event sponsored by the City of Gainesville with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and dozens of other organizations. The event is open to all Gainesville-Hall County residents and no identification is required. COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots will be administered free of charge to everyone with no appointment necessary. - photo by Scott Rogers

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Following federal approval on Nov. 3, some local health providers have begun administering the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11, while others are waiting on shipments or guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. 

Where can you get the vaccine for kids?

Sandy Smith, administrative director for urgent care at the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, says they have plenty of vaccines at their pediatric and family medicine practices, as do other clinics and area pharmacies. Even before final approval, NGPG officials said they would have “plenty of supply to take care of the demand.”

The Georgia Department of Public Health, on the other hand, said Wednesday in a press release that pediatric vaccinations will begin once DPH receives clinical guidance from the CDC, which is expected in the coming days.

Longstreet Clinic has put in its order for pediatric vaccines but as of Thursday had not received the shipment, according to spokeswoman Erin Williams. They will offer the vaccine to patients and non-patients alike once the inventory arrives, and will provide specifics about when and where the vaccine will be offered at that time. 

To find a COVID vaccination site, visit vaccines.gov.  This list of local providers had vaccines for ages 5-11 available at select locations:

Who can get the vaccine?

There are about 987,000 children ages 5-11 in Georgia now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine, according to DPH. 

How does the vaccine for kids work?

The dosage for 5-11 year olds is one-third the amount given to older folks. It is administered in two doses, with three weeks between the first and second dose. 

In clinical trials, vaccination was nearly 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 among younger children, according to DPH. Vaccine side effects were mild and temporary, with the most common side effect being a sore arm.