Vaccine Expands to Kids 5-11 and Adult Booster Doses
Posted on Thursday, November 25th, 2021
Hospital and Health Department Have Vaccine for Ages 5 and Up and Adult Booster Doses
November 2021 has seen an official expansion of COVID-19 vaccine uses for children and adults. The federal Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control recommended on November 3 that the Pfizer vaccine be given to children ages 5 to 11. Previously, eligibility started at age 12. Approximately 375,000 children in Oklahoma are now eligible to be inoculated.
The same agencies, on November 19, recommended that adults 18 and older take a single booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine six months after an individual’s primary series of vaccination is complete. For adults who got the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the wait for a booster is just two months.
The purpose of the booster is to provide as much protection as possible, the CDC spokesperson said, adding that older Americans and people with risks such as obesity, diabetes or other health problems should try to get a booster before the holidays.
In Love County, all needed doses of vaccine are available free at the Health Department at 200 C.E. Colston Dr., Marietta. “Walk-in” vaccine clinics occur each weekday, though the agency recommends phoning ahead to (580) 276-2531 to be sure a clinic is taking place as scheduled.
Inoculations also can be arranged through Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic, by calling (580) 276-3347. Other sources for sign-up are calling 211 or visiting www.vaccines.gov.
“COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and have been shown to reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization,” said Oklahoma State Health Department Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gitanjali Pai. “Studies show the booster doses offer an additional layer of protection. . . and can help prevent the spread of emerging variants. . . . We can effectively slow the spread of COVID-19 this winter.”
Oklahomans began tipping the scales in favor of vaccination this month – more than 50% of the total population age 12 and over had completed the full series of shots by November 20. This included 61.4% of the adult population, and a total of 2.1 million persons overall.
