Here's where to get Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12 in Onslow County
Jennifer Rich
Parents in Onslow County now have options to get their children under the age of 12 vaccinated against COVID-19.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus pediatric vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
"We received a shipment so we will begin vaccinating," said Victoria Reyes, community relations officer with Onslow County Health Department.
The health department has doses available immediately for patients. Parents are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 910-347-2154.
The vaccine requires a second dose three weeks after the first one for full vaccination. In clinical trials, children who received Pfizer's two-dose vaccine had either no side effects or some similar to those reported by adults. Children may experience pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, along with fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and nausea.
The pediatric vaccine is one-third the dose of the version currently used in patients 12 and older. Pfizer has said clinical trials are showing increased protection against symptomatic infection and hopes the smaller dose will cause fewer side effects in younger patients.
The vaccine will be available at a few pharmacies in Onslow beginning this weekend.
Walgreens located at 702 W. Corbett Ave. in Swansboro has vaccine appointments available beginning Saturday, Nov. 6. Walgreens at 359 Western Blvd. in Jacksonville has availability beginning Monday, Nov. 8.
The CVS located at 1309 Highway 210 in Sneads Ferry has appointment times available online for the Pfizer pediatric vaccine beginning Monday, Nov. 8.
Reyes said the vaccine is also available at StarMed Healthcare locations at 4355 Gum Branch Road and 133 Plaza Manor Court in Jacksonville. Appointments may be scheduled at starmed.care/vaccine.
Those who would like the jab as soon as possible, may contact the Onslow County Health Department.
"Appointments are preferred," Reyes said. "We aren't going to turn anybody away."