AKRON, Ohio — Editor's note: Video in the player at the top of this story was originally published in a previous COVID vaccine story on June 21, 2022.
With COVID vaccines for children under the age of 5 now cleared for emergency use authorization, vaccinations are set to begin at Summit County Public Health in Akron starting Thursday.
Appointments are now open and can be made by calling their clinic at 330-375-2772.
Summit County Public Health, which is located at 1867 West Market Street, says they currently have the Pfizer vaccine for children that has been approved for children ages six months to 4 years.
“All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian,” Summit County Public Health notes in a press release. “Parents/guardians bring photo ID for the child being vaccinated. Masks are required in our clinic for persons aged 2 and older, except those with medical exemptions.”
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The Pfizer vaccine for these young children is a three-shot series with each dose containing one-tenth of what’s included in the adult vaccination. The second dose can be given after three weeks, while the third dose comes two months after that.
The CDC also gave approval to Moderna’s vaccine for young children. It’s a two-shot series with each dose containing a quarter of the adult vaccine. The second dose should be given at least four weeks after the first.
“The side effects are really the same side effects as the adults have seen,” said Dr. Shelly Senders, founder and CEO of Senders Pediatrics. Senders Pediatrics also conducted clinical trials. “Fever, fatigue, achiness are some of the side effects. Headache has been seen in a fair number, 10 to 15 percent.”
Anybody with questions is asked to call the Summit County Public Health’s COVID line at 330-926-5795, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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