ChristianaCare Offers COVID-19 Vaccine to Children Ages 6 Months and Up
Five conveniently located practices can vaccinate by appointment
Starting today, ChristianaCare will offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years old at several Delaware practices in New Castle and Kent counties.
To request a COVID-vaccination appointment, patients of ChristianaCare’s pediatric and primary care practices may call their doctor’s office or send a message via their patient portal.
Vaccines for this youngest age group received final approval this month for Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 17 million children under the age of 5 are now eligible for these COVID-19 vaccines.
Getting younger children vaccinated against COVID-19 represents a continued effort to manage the pandemic, lessen the spread of the disease and reduce its impact in our community.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be available for young children at the following practices:
- ChristianaCare Primary Care at Foulk Road in Wilmington.
- Pediatrics at Wilmington Health Center.
- ChristianaCare Pediatric Associates in MAP 2 at the Newark campus.
- ChristianaCare Primary Care at MAP 2 at the Newark campus.
- ChristianaCare Primary Care at Smyrna.
“The COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection to children against the virus and is well-tested and safe,” said David Paul, M.D., chair of pediatrics at ChristianaCare.
“We have been waiting for the approval for this vaccine for younger children. As we have seen with older age groups, we expect that it will provide protection against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 such as hospitalization and death.”
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for all eligible people. Speak with your health care provider or visit the CDC’s website for more information.
Patients of ChristianaCare’s pediatric and primary care practices may call their doctor’s office or send a message via their patient portal to request a vaccination appointment.
“The COVID-19 vaccine can now allow some of our youngest children to play, visit family and attend school and day care with a new measure of safety.”
— Dr. David Paul, chair of Pediatrics
The Pfizer vaccine for children is authorized for ages 6 months through 4 years. It is a three-dose series that is one-tenth the adult dosage. The first two doses are given three weeks apart and a final dose eight weeks later. The vaccine has an estimated effectiveness of 80% after the third dose. Side effects of the Pfizer vaccine may include irritability, decreased appetite, fever, headache, chills and pain, tenderness, redness and swelling at the injection site.
“The protective benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the potential for side effects,” Dr. Paul said. “We strongly advocate the vaccine for children ages 6 months and older and are confident in its safety and effectiveness.
“The COVID-19 vaccine can now allow some of our youngest children to play, visit family and attend school and day care with a new measure of safety.”
