FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Easthampton Health Department, Fire Department, and School District to Hold COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Children Ages 5-11.
The Easthampton Health Department, Fire Department, and School District are hosting a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5-11 on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 3 PM-6 PM at Easthampton High School. This clinic is only open to children ages 5-11, and parents/caregivers are required to accompany their children.
On November 2, 2021, the CDC authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in children ages 5-11. The Pfizer vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, 3 weeks apart. According to the FDA, COVID-19 cases in children 5 through 11 years of age make up 39% of cases in individuals younger than 18 years of age. According to the CDC, approximately 8,300 COVID-19 cases in children 5 through 11 years of age resulted in hospitalization. In Easthampton, 21% of cases were under the age of 18 in the month of October and 22% in the month of September.
Superintendent Dr. Leclair states: “We are excited and grateful to be able to provide this opportunity to Easthampton families! Special thanks to our partners- the Easthampton Health Department, the Fire Department, and the Northampton Health Department for supporting out students.” Health Director Bri Eichstaedt echoes: “Vaccinating our 5-11-year-olds is one more piece to the puzzle of combatting COVID-19. We are grateful to have the opportunity to vaccinate children before the holidays to protect them and their families better. We are also grateful for the City of Northampton Health Department, who secured the Hampshire County Public Health Excellence Shared Services Grant, which increases capacity to respond to public health needs in the region, including holding vaccination clinics.”
To sign up, please visit: https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics and select “Click here for ages 5-11 yr old Pfizer vaccine appointments.” Please make sure to choose the Easthampton High School location. Appointments are limited. If appointments fill up, or if you cannot make this day/time, the City of Northampton is offering several local clinics that can be found at https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics. A second dose clinic will be held 3 weeks later, on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 3 PM-6 PM.
For questions, please contact either the Easthampton Health Department at 413-529-1430 or Jean Libby, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator, at 413-529-1500 ext. 142.