Two Lexington-area providers now offer COVID-19 vaccine for those age 6 mo. and older
University of Kentucky HealthCare and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department will offer the COVID-19 vaccine to infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 5 years.
UK HealthCare began offering the shot to some of the youngest Americans June 27, according to the hospital’s vaccine information page.
The urban government health agency will begin offering the shot to the age group June 29.
Both are continuing to offer the vaccine for free to all other applicable age groups.
The U.S. Food and Drug administration approved two vaccine types for the youngest group of Americans – ages 6 months up to 5 years – June 17. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation followed the next day.
At the time, Kentucky officials said fulfillment wait times and policy alterations may delay widespread availability in the state to early July. For the very young, those younger than age 3, the state restricted administration of the vaccine to pediatricians and similar providers, rather than pharmacies.
How to sign my child up for the COVID-19 vaccine in Lexington
Parents and caregivers can make an appointment with UK HealthCare through the online portal.
The hospital will be offering Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna.
“Appointments are required for these vaccinations, and you can register two children for each appointment,” the website reads.
UK HealthCare is administering shots for children of all age groups at the UK PharmacistCare Clinic at 245 Fountain Court in Lexington.
Vaccinations for adults, including additional boosters, are also being offered.
For those who would like to take advantage of the health department’s offerings, the Moderna vaccine will be available to all beginning at age 6 months through the agency starting June 29.
You can bring children age 6 months to 5 years for same-day appointments at the clinic held each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The clinic is located at 650 Newtown Pike in Lexington. Call 859-288-2483 for appointments and more information.
“Vaccination against COVID-19 is the best way to reduce the negative impact of this pandemic in all age groups,” the health department said in a release. “According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), more than 13.5 million children in the U.S. have been infected with COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, and although most children experience mild symptoms, more than 42,000 have been hospitalized in the U.S. and at least 1,240 children aged 18 and younger have died.”
You can also make an appointment through your child’s pediatrician.
What are the COVID vaccine side effects in children?
In its announcement, the health department noted the vaccine shares many of the same side effects of other childhood vaccines.
“They are things like soreness and redness where the shot goes in,” the AAP is quoted as saying. “Some babies and children don’t feel well later in the day of the shot or on the next day. A small number of vaccinated children get fever—and very few get high fever. Usually, it lasts only a day or two. Thousands of children were in the studies, and there were no children with serious allergic reactions, heart inflammation or other serious problems related to the vaccines that may worry (caregivers).”
According to a state dashboard, 66% of Kentucky residents have had at least a single dose of the vaccine. Monday, the state reported a positivity rate of 13.36%.
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