First District Health Unit will be giving COVID-19 vaccinations to children 5 to 11 years old starting today, according to information provided by First District. Appointments can be scheduled online at www.fdhu.org. Children in this age group must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The vaccine is given as a two-dose series, three weeks apart. The flu and COVID vaccines can be given in the same visit.

The only vaccine currently authorized for children is the Pfizer BioNTech brand. This vaccine is over 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5 through 11 years. Getting your child vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19 and reduce transmission in schools and the community.

After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, children may have some side effects similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines, such as a sore arm or slightly elevated temperature. These are normal signs that their body is building protection, and should go away in a few days.

First District continues to encourage everyone 12 and older to get vaccinated, eat healthy meals, get plenty of sleep, and stay physically active. Healthy lifestyles help the immune system and improve the body’s ability to fight diseases like COVID-19. It is also important to stay home if you are sick.

Appointments for the COVID or flu vaccinations can be scheduled online by visiting the First District website, www.fdhu.org, or by calling your local First District Health Unit office.