COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5-11 & Other Important Updates
Did you hear the sound of parents and pediatricians cheering last week? That was us celebrating the long-anticipated FDA emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11 years!
This is fantastic news, but there are a few more steps to go:
- The CDC ACIP committee will review the data and vote
- The CDC Director will then make the official CDC recommendation
- The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will review and make a recommendation
- The governor will authorize it for the state
We have ordered vaccine doses and are preparing for COVID vaccine clinics, but we do not yet know when we will have vaccine on hand. Because the dose for this age is different, we will be receiving separate vials and syringes and can not use our current supply. We will send out information as soon as we are able to schedule you!
To help us plan enough time and staff, we would appreciate if you could complete this ,,5 minute survey about your COVID-19 vaccination plans.
The data that the FDA reviewed last week makes a compelling argument for authorizing the vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective in preventing infections, and children this age get the same protection as adolescents, with a smaller dose. The smaller dose may also lead to fewer vaccine side effects. The rates of pediatric hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 have risen significantly this summer and fall. And although uncommon, pediatricians want to do every thing we can to avoid even a fraction of these outcomes. We also stand with parents in wanting to avoid complications such as Long Covid and MIS-C. Together, we can protect our children now and in the future.
As a reminder, we still have vaccine doses available now for ages 12 and up.
Find more information about the COVID-19 vaccine on our website.
Thank you for your patience
You may have noticed that the office isn’t running exactly like it used to. It is taking longer to return phone calls, and we may be calling you later in the evening than we normally would. I wish I knew the creator of this meme, because it certainly illustrates what is happening in pediatric offices in Portland and around the country!
Our amazing staff is working harder than ever to get you appointments, maintain safety for patients and staff, stay up to date on ever-changing guidelines, and get you the tests you need to get your children back to school. Bear with us, we are working as hard as we can.
Here are three things you can do to make sure you get the information you need:
- Make sure you have an active portal account. Not only is this an easy (and no-hold!) way to ask questions and get the advice you need, this is the fastest way to get your COVID test results if needed for school or work. Not sure if you have an account? Call us!
- Be sure we have your correct phone and email information so you can receive important announcements and updates.
- Check the website… you may find your answer there!
- Wondering if you need a COVID test?
- Confused about isolation versus quarantine?
- Aunt Sally posted a myth about the COVID vaccine?
We are always happy to answer your questions, but you may find the information you were looking for without having to wait. In the meantime, we will continue doing the best that we can!
Employment Opportunities
Interested in working with people whose mission is to care for children and families? If you like smiling babies, silly jokes, watching kids grow, treating others with compassion, and protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases, then we might be a good fit for you. And the prizes for the pumpkin contest winners are pretty great, if you ask me. Reach out if you are interested.
I will try to post soon about all of the reasons I was thrilled to get my daughters vaccinated, and why I have been holding my breath for this moment… there will be sighs of relief and tears of joy when my son gets vaccinated!