Memorial Hermann to Begin Administering COVID-19 Vaccine to 5 to 11 Year Olds, Beginning Tomorrow

HOUSTON (November 03, 2021)

In line with guidance from the FDA and CDC, Memorial Hermann is pleased to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5 to 11 effective Thursday, Nov. 4.

The Pfizer vaccine for children in this age group is a series of two doses delivered 21 days apart, just as it is for older children and adults. For children ages 5 to 11, however, each dose is smaller (10 micrograms) than the one used for individuals 12 and older (30 micrograms).

How your children can get vaccinated beginning Thursday, Nov. 4:

New and Established Memorial Hermann Patients

  • The COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to new and established patients ages 5 and above at Children’s Memorial Hermann Pediatrics locations and a number of Memorial Hermann-affiliated pediatrician practices. Parents should call their pediatrician’s office to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
  • Minors (individuals ages 5 to 17) must be accompanied by an adult at the time of vaccination.

Non-Memorial Hermann Patients

  • If your pediatrician’s office is not offering COVID-19 vaccination, please visit one of Memorial Hermann’s COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-In Clinics that offers the Pfizer vaccine. Note: Memorial Hermann locations administering the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine will only vaccinate individuals 18 years of age and older.
  • To schedule an appointment at one of Memorial Hermann’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics, please complete the online COVID-19 Vaccination Request Form.
  • Minors (individuals ages 5 to 17) must be accompanied by an adult at the time of vaccination.

The FDA evaluated data from 3,100 pediatric study participants to ensure that each vaccine is safe. Based on this research, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that anyone who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine get vaccinated as soon as possible.

While most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or have no symptoms at all, severe illness and death have been reported in children under the age of 1, as well as in children with underlying health conditions. Vaccines are helpful in preventing illness and disease, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no different. Getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 protects them from developing severe complications from COVID-19 and may reduce the chance they could spread the infection to other more vulnerable family members and friends. Clinical trials in children ages 5 to 11 years found the vaccine to be 90.7 percent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19.

We recognize parents may have questions about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for their younger children. To help you and your loved ones make an informed decision, please click here for resources and frequently asked questions.