You are reading

City to Start Vaccinating Children 5 to 11 for COVID-19 Starting Thursday

COVID-19 Vaccine (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Nov. 3, 2021 By Allie Griffin

New York City will be ready to vaccinate children five to 11 years old for COVID-19 at city-run sites starting Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today.

Children as young as five will be able to get a pediatric dose of the Pfizer vaccine at city-run sites beginning Nov. 4. The announcement comes one day after the FDA and CDC approved the shot for youngsters under 12.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a historic day for the city in our fight against COVID as we reach our youngest New Yorkers,” de Blasio said during a press conference. “So, city-run sites will be up and running, ready to go.”

The city will also utilize school buildings to get the shot into more children’s arms. Starting Monday, Nov. 8, each public school that serves children five- to 11-years-old will host a one-day vaccination drive on campus.

“Every school will have one day that’s their vaccination day – easy, convenient, free, as always,” de Blasio said.

The drives will be held in schools across the five boroughs on a rolling basis, de Blasio said.

A parent or guardian must provide consent in order for a child to be vaccinated.

Children under age 12 will receive a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine than adults—with a smaller needle. Like adults, they will need to get two doses approximately three weeks apart.

City health officials said that children generally face milder side effects from vaccinations than adults—if any at all.

“In general, children bounce back much faster than adults,” said Dr. Mitch Katz, president of city’s public hospital system. “And I think the side effects that we will see will be very minimal and probably, for most kids, just be a little bit of pain in the arm and a few tears during the time of getting the shot.”

While children have been less vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection, there have been more than 8,300 coronavirus-related hospitalizations of kids five- to 11-years-old — with a third requiring intensive care in the U.S., the Associated Press reported, citing government data.

The CDC has also recorded at least 94 fatalities related to COVID-19 in the same age group.

To make an appointment at a city-run vaccine site, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. Only sites that offer the Pfizer vaccine can administer shots to children 11 and younger.

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have yet to get approval for usage in kids.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Queens Council Members celebrate $2.5 million in funding for AAPI curriculum

Jul. 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Queens Council Members Shekar Krishnan, Linda Lee, Sandra Ung and Julie Won gathered on the steps of City Hall Wednesday afternoon alongside Manhattan Council Member Carlina Rivera to celebrate the “historic” $2.5 million budget investment to support the implementation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history curriculum in NYC schools.

Woman attacked and strangled in anti-LGBTQ assault in Far Rockaway: NYPD

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating an anti-LGBTQ attack on a woman in Far Rockaway on the night of Tuesday, June 24, and three suspects remain at large.

The 28-year-old victim was walking in front of 18-26 Village Lane just north of Mott Avenue at around 8:30 p.m. when she was approached by the three men who shouted anti-LGBTQ rhetoric before they punched her multiple times, and one of the assailants placed his hands around her neck, and strangled her into unconsciousness, police said. The three men fled the scene, just down the street from the Rockaway Village development, to parts unknown.

Forest Hills home invasion leaves man hospitalized after brutal assault and robbery: NYPD

Police from the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills are looking for three suspects who beat and robbed a 28-year-old man during a home invasion on the afternoon of Saturday, June 21. The three intruders slipped into an apartment building at 102-40 62nd Ave. at around 4 p.m.

The perpetrators allegedly forced their way into the victim’s apartment, punched him repeatedly in his body with closed fists, and forcibly removed $60 in cash and medication before fleeing the building in an unknown direction, police said Monday. EMS responded to the crime scene and transported the victim to Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, where he was listed in stable condition.