In anticipation of potential authorization by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention making the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available in some capacity to younger children, West Virginia University tentatively is planning to host a Pfizer vaccine clinic specifically for children ages 5-to-11 later this week in partnership with the Monongalia County Health Department.
To assist with planning efforts and gauge interest in a potential vaccine clinic specifically for children, WVU is asking faculty, staff and students who have children ages 5-to-11 to complete the following questionnaire:
Express interest in a potential COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11
Be sure to make your interest known by noon on Tuesday (Nov. 2). Note: Completing the interest form does not register your child/children for a vaccine clinic nor does it guarantee their access to the vaccine if it is authorized.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended amending emergency use authorization of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 5 to 11 years old.
Vaccines for children in this age group potentially could be available as early as next week pending review and authorization by the independent advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The committee plans to meet next Tuesday, Nov. 2, and Wednesday, Nov. 3, to discuss the FDA’s decision and vote whether to recommend expanding availability of the Pfizer vaccine to include younger children. Children ages 12 to 17 already are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
If the committee endorses extending access to the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, final approval then would reside with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
Pending final recommendations and eligibility guidelines from the CDC, the special Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children likely would take place next Wednesday or Thursday evening at the WVU Student Recreation Center (lower gym).
Second doses then would be available at the Student Rec Center on Monday, Nov. 29, which is designed to limit any potential disruptions in family travel plans for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The University will share additional details as more information become available in the days ahead. In the meantime, visit the Return to Campus website for the latest COVID-19 updates.
WVU Health Sciences also has updated the coronavirus.wvu.edu website to reflect the most up-to-date information on vaccines and the Delta variant.
Contact covidvaccine@mail.wvu.edu with any questions.