CORONAVIRUS: CDC gives final OK to Pfizer vaccine for 5-to-11-year-olds; where to find it locally

Molly November 2, 2021 (5:56 pm)

Any updates on where it’s available locally? Thank you!

Alice November 2, 2021 (6:13 pm)

I think next year sometime we need to have a huge birthday party bash in the park for ALL the kids whose birthday parties were cancelled or moved online in the past two years.

Business owner November 2, 2021 (6:17 pm)

Can we please, for the sake of our children, allow us to respectfully trust that parents know what is best for their children? Allow parents to vaccinate or not, without judgement? These young bodies/immune systems, are not at risk. They are more at risk for contracting pneumonia, getting struck by lightning, flu complications etc. (And please don’t use the argument that they are risking all the vaccinated adults, elders, double vaxxed, boostered, twice.) And don’t pretend that we are trying to protect the unvaccinated…the ones that WILL NOT ever choose to be vaccinated and thus basically signing a “waiver” about the consequences. It is worrisome to me that this will divide our community even more. Please, do not label parents that are wary of injecting our kids with something that hasn’t been completely deemed safe, as “anti-vaxxers” aka “Trumpers”. You do you. Vaccinate your child or not. If this gets mandated… I hope all critical thinkers will take pause. Follow the money people.

Lucy November 2, 2021 (8:04 pm)

I wish this applied to everyone. I would have probably been vaccinated on my own by early next year. I’ve not missed a day of work and had to take public transport every day twice a day since day one. I’ve had multiple exposures and taken care of both of my adult sons while they were sick in early 2020. I have felt confident in being able to manage my own health this whole time. What happened to “My body, My choice?”if you’re vaccinated and we are all wearing masks, how can I possibly make you sick?As it is, I was forced to choose between myjob and getting a vaccination I’m not convinced is both effective and safe.
- OneTimeCharley November 3, 2021 (11:35 am)
  
  Um Lucy….pregnancy isn’t contagious. I would have thought you would know this.
- LJJ November 3, 2021 (12:29 pm)
  
  I’m with you on this, Lucy. You’re not alone, here (though a lot of people may become hostile and disrespectful towards you – which I simply do not understand.)
S.A. November 2, 2021 (8:12 pm)

So many dog whistles.
- JJ November 3, 2021 (4:57 am)
  
  Please get off of Reddit and go get some fresh air for 5 minutes
heartless November 2, 2021 (8:15 pm)

Sorry, but why would the average parent know better than medical professionals who have years, often decades, of intensive training in this precise area?

Do you have a problem with public schools enforcing the polio vaccine? Because all 50 states mandate that vaccine for kids.

I guess the question is this: why do you have a problem with this vaccine, in particular, when, for years and years, many other vaccines have been enforced without so much as a peep out of people like you?
How is that not anti-vaxx November 2, 2021 (8:20 pm)

Perhaps it would help if you explain what you mean when you say it “hasn’t been completely deemed safe”? Of the 3,000 children ages 5-11 who received the vaccine, 0 suffered complications beyond a sore arm. When, in your opinion, will it be completely deemed safe?
Pessoa November 2, 2021 (8:34 pm)

You are a voice of sanity in a world of uncritical groupthink.
CAM November 2, 2021 (8:51 pm)

Nothing in this world is completely safe, including any of the other vaccines that are currently given to children and adults prior to this. Using that language creates a false narrative and is a tactic used by the antivax movement to create vaccine hesitancy, false information, and fear around the safe and effective use of vaccines. So yes, I will call any parent who tells me that a vaccine must be declared 100% safe to be acceptable for use an antivaxxer.
Risky Business November 2, 2021 (9:23 pm)

For the parents who are pediatricians, sure. Otherwise, I will defer to scientists to say what is best, medically speaking, for children because they are in a better position to know that than a parent with no medical or scientific training. Parents are in a good position to determine a good number of things that are best for their kids… best ways to get them to stay in bed, best brands of shoes to fit their feet, lots of things! But doctors still do know what’s best for an individual (child or adult)’s health, immune system, and overall medical well-being. It’s hard not to judge parents who ignore sound medical advice that will benefit their children, but I try. Mostly I feel sorry for the kids.
Seattle_Native November 2, 2021 (10:01 pm)

Thank you for being a voice of sanity and critical thinking.
Falcon November 3, 2021 (7:19 am)

Y’all are acting so ignorant.. it’s going to be required to attend public school. So, the non-judgement is going to be non-existent because if your child goes to school unvaccinated, YOU are making the decision as a parent to defy the law. And you should be prepared to face scrutiny for breaking the law. The point is completely moot.
Kayo November 3, 2021 (10:06 am)

Trying to counteract the disinformation in this comment thread. https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/vaccine-for-5-11-year-olds-acip-cliff 
Ice November 3, 2021 (10:38 am)

“ the ones that WILL NOT ever choose to be vaccinated and thus basically signing a “waiver” about the consequences.” This is completely false and an incredibly frustrating narrative. These people still run to the hospital once they feel like they can’t breath and beg for treatment. I don’t know if you’ve ever treated a Covid patient before, but it sucks up a disproportionate amount of resources. If you are not getting a vaccine you are basically just throwing grit into the medical system on a statistical level.
A November 3, 2021 (12:53 pm)

Covid-19 is the 8th most common cause of kids aged 5-11 dying this year. That’s WAAAY more common than lightning.By vaccinating your kids you are protecting the people who *can’t* get vaccinated: the immunocompromised and kids under 5. This misinformation is what led to babies dying of them measles here in WA State in the last few years. Dying from a preventable disease.I’ll protect my kids from all of the top ten leading causes of death, and I will advocate that everyone around me do so as well.https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/vaccines-for-5-11-year-olds-fda-meeting
Really? November 3, 2021 (1:41 pm)

“Can we please, for the sake of our children, allow us to respectfully trust that parents know what is best for their children? Allow parents to vaccinate or not, without judgement? “And yet your judgement that I am vaccinating my child with something that is not fully deemed safe, that their risk and the risk to my family is not worth getting them vaccinated. Yeah, no judgement there!

Jim November 2, 2021 (7:01 pm)

Sounds like fun for children to have a party 🎉. People are still getting Covid even with the shot so our society is not yet out of the woods.

Mom November 2, 2021 (7:49 pm)

Thank you business owner for speaking up on this subject. I wholeheartedly agree.

No Conspiracy Theories November 2, 2021 (8:23 pm)

These were approved considering the risk to benefit for these children, not adults or unvaccinated. That’s why they were studied in children. Parent knows best only works if they have the same expertise as immunologists or pediatricians. Excited to get my kids vaccinated. UW waitlist sent out their first appointment offerings tonight. To join the waitlist (844) 520-8700.

WS neighbor November 2, 2021 (8:31 pm)

Biz Owner and Mom — I am listening to the experts. And “you do you” is not how the science of vaccinations works. More spread = more mutations. Stop this madness.

Alki resident November 2, 2021 (8:57 pm)

Business owner spot on. The FDA just stated this week that they don’t know what will happen once kids get this shot. They won’t have data until kids are jabbed first. Children are the guinea pigs here. I’m a grandma to a vaccine injured child. It’s devastating knowing so many parents are believing this shot will help them. Long term effects are unknown. It’s criminal what could possibly happen to our children.

s November 2, 2021 (11:02 pm)

Vaccine-injured child? Give me a break. Tell us, how do you know that a vaccine injured the child? How did you separate correlation from causation with a sample size of one? We need better science education in this country because stupidity is literally killing people.
- Sara November 3, 2021 (4:22 pm)
  
  Have y’all ever heard of myocarditis? Why can’t people be pro-vaccine but also not dismiss every report of adverse reactions to vaccines? How on earth could we understand how these vaccines are functioning in the real world if adverse reactions are dismissed and shamed? I know people who have had adverse reactions to the covid vaccines. I don’t know why people feel that this is somehow impossible.
  - s November 3, 2021 (8:16 pm)
    
    Sara – It’s not about “dismissing every report of adverse reactions”….it’s about collecting data and conducting statistical analyses on those data. Kind of like they did for this vaccine for the 5-11 year-old group. You know, science. Instead of knowing someone who knows someone whose balls swelled up after they got a shot.
    - Sara November 4, 2021 (6:19 pm)
      
      Yes, but you all are responding to the grandmother of a child who had an adverse reaction. Presumably your neighbor, who is making a comment on a news blog, not presenting evidence at the FDA. Why berate her so? Why can’t we talk about our negative experiences with the vaccines without being shut down like this? I am continually shocked at how rude and insensitive my fellow west seattlites can behave.
    - s November 4, 2021 (10:30 pm)
      
      Sara – My point is that the grandmother doesn’t actually know that the child had an adverse reaction. Trust the scientists doing the controlled studies, not the anecdotes from the grandma on the internet. You’re concerned about people being rude and I’m concerned about misinformation leading to dead bodies and the unnecessary prolonging of a global pandemic. Priorities.
  - Canton November 3, 2021 (9:19 pm)
    
    Unfortunately part of this is becoming political. Either with us or against us, at the sake of our kids health, without the proper vetting. To each their own, but stop making this an either/or.
Ice November 3, 2021 (10:28 am)

You can’t just pull out this vaccine injured thing and not go into more detail.
A November 3, 2021 (1:00 pm)

False.
- sam-c November 4, 2021 (12:33 pm)
  
  “The FDA just stated this week that they don’t know what will happen once kids get this shot. They won’t have data until kids are jabbed first. Children are the guinea pigs here.”No. It was given to kids during the clinical trials, to see what would happen to kids getting the shot. Those who volunteered to be a part of the trials were the guinea pigs.

Critical Thinker November 2, 2021 (9:33 pm)

Like all parents, you will be judged. Stand up and own your stubbornness or exceptionalism or privilege at least because that’s all this is. The vaccine was deemed incredibly safe today, unequivocally, by 14 of our highest-trained and brightest experts. Hundreds before them. But you still know better. Know something they don’t somehow. You sadden me. You leave your child vulnerable to something considerably worse than any boogieman side effect because you don’t understand the science while leaving your community weaker. You and your children may be lucky and not have to face the consequences of your decision thanks to a community that thankfully largely disagrees with you. But it’s still a poor decision.

Sara November 3, 2021 (4:40 pm)

I’m not sure when science became a religion that you must follow in order to be accepted. Scientists disagree. Other countries are doing things differently based on recommendations from their scientific community. There is no scientific doctrine that we all must follow in order to be a good person. I thought science was about questioning and keeping an open mind, not about pressuring people to follow the advice of experts (can you imagine the pressure they were under to approve this vaccine for children? Do we all just think Pfizer is just sitting around twiddling their thumbs?) I think it’s great if you want to vaccinate your children against covid, and I also think it’s great if you don’t. I just wish people would stop turning science into this one fixed belief system, especially the science surrounding vaccines and a virus that are both very very new, and of which the science is changing every day.
- SaraH November 7, 2021 (1:21 am)
  
  Ah, anti-science flat earther type with the let’s try to discount science and truth because you have no other valid leg to stand on. Everything you spouted on about is false. The vaccine works, is safe, and there is vast, vast agreement about this.
- Smoosh November 7, 2021 (3:28 pm)
  
  In terms of your fear of myocarditis interestingly kids who got the shot and who devolved myocarditis did so at a LOWER rate when compared with national rates of myocarditis in children and WAY lower rate than kids who contracted COVID. So while they had to report the cases of myocarditis when you “do your research” you find the vaccine (not statistically significantly) is protective against myocarditis. Keep also showing how you know better than the experts and those who are driven by social awareness and reason.

Scientist mom November 2, 2021 (10:02 pm)

Biz Owner et al. Tell me what you think after you listen to this podcast. In its entirety https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-bubble-with-andy-slavitt/id1504128553?i=1000540354202

WS98 November 2, 2021 (11:48 pm)

The vaccine has been tested just the same way as any others that most if not all of us have had in our lives. We’ll be vaccinating our children as soon as appointments are available, to protect them against Covid-19.

Joe Z November 2, 2021 (11:50 pm)

My kid was a superspreader—she caught COVID at daycare and asymptotically spread it to almost every vaccinated adult she was in close contact with, who then spread it to some of their kids, who then spread it to grandparents. Several people involved have gotten quite sick, numerous lives disrupted, etc.

I can tell you from my experience that your unvaccinated, asymptomatic kid will give you and all your vaccinated friends COVID if they haven’t already and you will have a miserable time. I had what they call a “mild” case, it felt like someone stabbed my lungs with a hundred needles. Weeks of work were missed.

This is happening in West Seattle, right now. Your family may not have a COVID outbreak right now, but you will eventually. Or you can do the easy thing that will end this.

Diane November 3, 2021 (1:37 am)

WOW, thanks so much for sharing this, so important
JW November 3, 2021 (8:47 am)

100 percent this.
Kayo November 3, 2021 (10:08 am)

Ugh. I am so sorry. Thank you for speaking out.
Alice November 3, 2021 (12:59 pm)

THANK YOU for reminding us of this.

valvashon November 3, 2021 (7:14 am)

“Business owner
November 2, 2021 (6:17 pm)

Can we please, for the sake of our children, allow us to
respectfully trust that parents know what is best for their children?
Allow parents to vaccinate or not, without judgement?”

In a word, no. We are in a global pandemic. This should be required as are other childhood vaccines. And a big thank you to Washington State for making it mandatory for state workers and thank you to any business that requires it for employment or entry. My workplace seems to have an informal requirement and we’ve already seen one anti-vaxxer and “Plandemic” pusher leave making it safer to enter the building.

Canton November 3, 2021 (9:08 pm)

The only current, MMR vaccine was finalized in 1971. Plenty of time to combine vaccines and test it’s effectiveness. 2 yrs is just hoping at this point.

Torid November 3, 2021 (8:14 am)

Walgreens website isn’t let me make appointment for my kid? Says his 2015 birthday isn’t eligible. I just want him to be protected ASAP!!! So anxious and excited to get that jab.
Edit- just called Walgreens and the message said they’ll start taking appointments Nov. 6th

West Seattle Dad November 3, 2021 (9:00 am)

any updates on where to get and sign up for the under 12 vaccine?

parent November 3, 2021 (9:13 am)

I’ll be waiting a lot longer on the vaccination, I don’t think anything sinister is going on, but I would like quite a bit more time to pass before I feel comfortable with it. It’s not political, just trusting my judgement. Sure I could be wrong, but I’ve done my risk analysis and feel comfortable with it. I am not a scientist or expert, but scientists and experts have made mistakes too. I just feel like when things are created so quickly, the potential for error is higher. I have found “Haste makes waste” to be true often.My kids are up to date on their other vaccinations – I feel more comfortable with those since they have been around for years (even though I know there are risks – we get those “possible complications” handouts every time). The argument of “covid vaccinations are the same” just isn’t true. They may end up being just as safe – and I hope they are, for everyone’s sake! They just haven’t been out long enough for my comfort level. Anyway, it’s possible to be ok with long-proven vaccinations but feel uncomfortable with the covid one. Throwing the argument of “how can you be ok with some but not covid” around is silly.My anecdotal covid story – my 10 year old niece got it (tested positive, anyway) and felt a little crummy for part of the day, then all was well. This is true, and it’s as valid as all the other stories people are sharing. Anyway, if I end up in an ICU bed I guess I’ll send a rueful update, but for now all is well.

s November 3, 2021 (12:59 pm)

Sounds like a plan. Just make sure to send the update before you go on the ventilator!
Canton November 3, 2021 (9:01 pm)

Totally agree. This has been approved by emergency standards. There is no emergency related to this age group, as they don’t contract it the same. This potential mandate, in my opinion is about making the kids protect the teachers, not about the kids. If the kids get vaccinated, can they still contract and spread it? Yeah. Are these studies knowledgeable about long term effects? No, we haven’t got there yet. If it is mandated for kids in school, they should be ready for some fall back. I’m not going to subject my 7yr old to test trials, and am willing to pull her from school if that’s the case. Better think about demanding school vouchers to direct our tax money to a situation where parents and kids feel safe.
- Smoosh November 7, 2021 (12:03 pm)
  
  The emergency is that there are 60 million eligible adults who refuse vaccination for largely foolish reasons and we as a country need to use our 30 million 5 to 11 year olds to get to the point that the virus can’t spread easily and when it does does not do anywhere near as much damage as it does to the unvaccinated.
Westwood November 4, 2021 (12:57 pm)

And be sure to leave a link to your GoFundMe
- parent November 5, 2021 (2:40 pm)
  
  I promise my family won’t do a goFundme (as I will be quickly dead after my ventilator treatment I’m sure).And all this nonsense about early research 20 years ago! I’m very glad “they” started working on mRNA techology years ago, but this particular usage is very new! And still under “emergency use authorization” for 5-15 year olds. I’m sure you’ll have some response for how stupid I am for not trusting it even so. However, I’m definitely rooting for it and will likely feel comfortable with it at some point.
AMD November 4, 2021 (2:50 pm)

Oh my god, they started working on mRNA technology and a SARS vaccine–the early research that became the final COVID vaccine–almost 20 years ago. Can we stop repeating this “it was developed quickly” nonsense? It got into testing quickly because they didn’t have to spend 5 years looking for funding for their studies. Why doesn’t anyone’s independent “risk analysis” ever seem to involve looking up facts?
- Anna November 4, 2021 (6:12 pm)
  
  You should check out the history of the tech used as vaccines. They started studying it 20 years ago, but this is the first time they’ve used it successfully as a vaccine. I think everyone is rooting for it, but to claim that it has 20 years of safety data under its belt isn’t true.
Smoosh November 7, 2021 (12:06 pm)

By the time you end up in my ICU you will be too scattered and hypoxic to be able to send an update before we put the breathing tube down your throat as by then you would have had to linger on the medical wards until the point of collapse because the usual standard of care for folks with respiratory failure is not currently available as my 21 bed ICU has had an average daily census of 24 to 27 the past two months all while about half of the core nursing staff has quit in the past 10 months to either burnout or realizing they can follow the waves on temp assignments and make life changing money caring for people who will once ventilated will be better off dead because those who survive are limp, machine dependent hollowed out versions of themselves. I wish you could see what I have seen and realize that even if there were some potentially unseen issue with the vaccine it would still be better to take the shot and end this thing.

labepik November 3, 2021 (11:45 am)

Got a parent newsletter that some local SPS schools will have on-site vaccines available starting next week, including my kid’s school, which has been confirmed as a site.

WSB November 3, 2021 (12:02 pm)

Thanks for the update.
- labepik938 November 3, 2021 (2:02 pm)
  
  Here’s the SPS link (with lots of West Seattle schools listed) https://www.seattleschools.org/news/flu-vaccine-clinic/
  
  The URL has flu vaccine in the address, but the page leads to info specifically about COVID vaccines for kids 5+
  - WSB November 3, 2021 (2:16 pm)
    
    Thanks, will add it here for starters and start a new story a bit later.
    - labepik November 4, 2021 (11:31 am)
      
      Aaaaand SPS has changed the link again:
      https://www.seattleschools.org/news/vaccine-clinic/

Elyse November 3, 2021 (11:47 am)

Heads up for anyone that made an appointment at Walgreens for their kids: just called to confirm appointments I made last night and the pharmacist was not reassuring. Apparently they haven’t received any guidance on the younger age group yet, have no information about when doses will be arriving, and weren’t even aware the online system was allowing appointments to be scheduled at their store. Said not to rely on the doses being available and to call back morning of before driving over. Very discouraging :(

Alice November 3, 2021 (12:57 pm)

I just confirmed that if you schedule at Walgreens a vaccine for a kid aged 5-11 it is for a pediatric vaccine.The recorded message at their call center says they’ll have the peds vaccine as of Saturday 11/6/21.I also spoke to a human who confirmed that the appointment I scheduled for Tuesday in Burien is for the pediatric.Others reading this can call the Walgreens call center as well: Questions about your COVID-19 vaccination or appointment? Don’t hesitate to call the pharmacy at 206-901-1816.
- Elyse November 3, 2021 (1:40 pm)
  
  Weird! I called the specific Walgreens pharmacy I booked my appointment with and they had very different information. I only double checked because a neighbor mentioned having issues with their flu vaccine at walgreens; they booked online, but when they showed up in person for their appointment the pharmacist said the online booking system isn’t tied to their vaccine inventory and they had no flu shot’s to give. Made me a nervous enough to check and the pharmacist at the Federal Way location was NOT reassuring and specifically said not to rely on this appointment.

Aaron November 3, 2021 (12:15 pm)

Both the West Seattle vaccine clinic and the Amazon clinic had 5-11 shots as of 11:30 AM today. There were 200 in West Seattle and I think 1200 at Amazon. The numbers were shrinking by the second and now of course there are no appointments. It’s worth checking the city of Seattle vaccine site now that both clinic sites are up for 5-11.

Lincoln Park Mom November 4, 2021 (2:55 pm)

I walked into SeaMar today at 1:30 and walked out at 2:30 with my son’s first vaccine dose and appt for the 2nd one. Yipee!

Elyse November 5, 2021 (8:21 pm)

Thank for this suggestion! We did the same after reading your comment. It was so easy and we’re so happy to have our kids vaccinated!!

Alki mom November 4, 2021 (7:43 pm)

I finally managed to book an appointment for my child and he will receive his 1st COVID vaccine by the weekend. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest. After 20 months of social distancing and avoidance of travel, indoor playdates, going to a movie theater, etc., life can finally return to normalcy. Thank you to our healthcare professionals and everyone who has helped to make this happen!

LY November 5, 2021 (4:24 pm)

Hey Alki MomCurious: were you able to get the 2nd appointment at the same time too? I got the first dose scheduled and i thought i’d be able to get the 2nd jab scheduled at the same time too but that wasn’t an option.
- Alki mom November 5, 2021 (6:43 pm)
  
  I did not try to schedule the 2nd appointment at the same time. You do not need to get your second dose at the same clinic where you got your first dose. I figure it would be a lot easier to schedule the 2nd dose at multiple locations after 21 days.
Smoosh November 7, 2021 (11:48 am)

You’re welcome.

Pessoa November 4, 2021 (8:56 pm)

At this stage it is everyone’s choice, but we know that that mandates are coming as already as happened in California. This isn’t a slippery slope, this is a toboggan run.

Smoosh November 7, 2021 (11:45 am)

It’s so frustrating that peoples must be compelled to do the right thing by themselves, their families, and extended community and get vaccinated. If only they would just do the plainly correct thing and end this pandemic and take their shot then us parents wouldn’t have to use the 30 million kids to pick up the slack for the 60 million adults who refuse to do the right thing because they do their own research.

Jason November 5, 2021 (6:08 pm)

SeaMar was great. Both my boys got their shots yesterday and are feeling great today. We booked their second shots during the first appointment, I think they want to make sure they’re administering a shot to someone before they’ll book #2.

Falcon November 7, 2021 (10:46 am)

Did you have to schedule or was walk in available? And what time did you go? Thinking of going before 8a, and then taking him to school after we try.
- HFMom November 8, 2021 (12:58 am)
  
  You can schedule or you can do a walk-in at SeaMar. But be prepared you may end up waiting a bit for walk-in. I tried walk-in with my daughter on Thursday after school and ended up scheduling for the following morning at 8am. So she was back at school by 9am and was scheduled for her 2nd once her shot was given. The morning was definitely busy when we were there on Friday. Good luck. :)

Falcon November 7, 2021 (10:45 am)

Just a heads up. White Center Bartell is allowing appointments online to be made, but don’t have vaccines for another week to two weeks. They called me 2 hours before our appointment today tell let me know this. Now I’m scrambling to find somewhere to get my son one quickly. I’m fuming!