With approval from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and authorization by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) is now accepting appointments for pediatric patients, age 5-11 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The MCPH online appointment system is open for individuals in the newly approved group to schedule appointments. A parent or guardian will be able to schedule the appointment and must sign a consent form. In addition, we have adjusted our Community Vaccination site to allow for individual appointment rooms, an atmosphere better suited for children to receive their COVID-19 vaccination than a mass vaccination site. MCPH will offer Saturday appointments for these pediatric vaccinations, at the MCPH building, located at 510 29 ½ Road. Due to the specialized nature of these visits, appointments are required.
The Pfizer vaccine for this age group is one-third of the adult dose. The vaccine is still given as a two-dose series, three weeks apart.
Illness levels among school-age children (5-11) have been steadily increasing since the first part of September. The percent positivity, or the percentage of positive tests compared to the number of tests administered, is at 12% for the most recently completed week (October 31).
Percent positivity or the percentage of positive tests compared to the number of tests administered, for children age 5-11 as of October 31, 2021.
Based on 2020 population estimates, 8.5% of Mesa County’s population is in the 5-11 age group. This new approval makes this population eligible to receive the life-saving vaccine for the first time. Previously only individuals age 12 and older were eligible.
The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be remarkably effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, including against the delta variant. CDC data show that in August 2021, the risk of dying from COVID-19 in the U.S. was more than 11 times greater for unvaccinated people than for fully vaccinated people.
If you are unable to complete online scheduling or prefer to make an appointment over the phone call 970-248-6900. Individuals who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish should call the Mesa County Public Health Spanish-language line at 970-255-3700.
Stay up to date by visiting health.mesacounty.us.