Cedar Rapids schools to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children, ages 5-11

Shots will be available the week of Nov. 29

Nov. 12, 2021 10:24 am, Updated: Nov. 12, 2021 4:13 pm

A children's dose of the COVID-19 vaccine lies on a desk as children get COVID-19 vaccinations Nov. 3 at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Pediatrics-Cedar Rapids in northeast Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children 5 to 11 years old will be held at Cedar Rapids metro area schools later this month.

Linn County Public Health will administer the vaccines at four clinics at Cedar Rapids Community School District schools from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

No appointment is necessary, but a parent must be present for their child to get the vaccine.

Each clinic will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on:

Monday, Nov. 29: Johnson STEAM Academy, 355 18th St. SE, Cedar Rapids
Tuesday, Nov. 30: Nixon Elementary School, 200 Nixon Dr., Hiawatha
Wednesday, Dec. 1: Hoover Community School, 4141 Johnson Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids
Thursday, Dec. 2: Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary, 720 Seventh Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids

Children will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use in children ages 5 to 11 by federal health experts earlier this month.

The dose given to children is one-third the amount administered to adults and teens, but experts say that dose still is highly effective in creating a robust immune response. Studies show the vaccine is 91 percent effective in preventing children from developing COVID-19.

► FAQ on vaccines for kids: UIHC experts answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines for kids

Data from Pfizer and federal health officials say any side effects are similar to those seen in adults, including a sore arm, fatigue and headache. No serious or rare side effects occurred in children participating in the clinical trials.

More information about COVID-19 vaccines in children can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Comments: (319) 398-8469; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com