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COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

Lane County Announces Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Kids 5 to 11 

Lane County Public Health estimates that Lane County is home to approximately 25,000 children aged 5 to 11. While national surveys suggest that about one third of parents will seek vaccinations for newly eligible children as soon as possible, the Lane County pediatric partnership has developed capacity to meet a demand of 40% (approximately 10,000 kids) within the first several weeks of eligibility.

“Pediatric offices remain the best place to seek regular vaccinations,” said Dr. Patrick Luedtke, Lane County’s Public Health Officer, “and I’m so impressed by the efforts that pediatric and family care practices have implemented to provide vaccinations rapidly, including evening and weekend hours. But we recognize that not every parent will be able to access vaccinations this way, so we’ve worked with other providers, including pharmacies, and we’ve developed our own operational capacity through our COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center.”

 

Lane County has designed multiple clinic models to meet individual needs:

  • Indoor clinics at the Lane Events Center Auditorium that will ultimately have the capacity for over 400 children per day;

  • School-based clinics in partnership with Lane Education Services District and Lane County’s 16 school districts operating in the afternoons and evenings following regular school dismissal; and

  • Community-led pediatric clinics in partnership with our community-based organization partners to ensure vaccine equity.

 

“We’ve developed a strategy to fully vaccinate nearly 4,000 kids before the end of 2021,” said Dr. Jocelyn Warren, Lane County’s Public Health Administrator. “As this group of younger kids becomes eligible for vaccinations, we intend to provide an added level of attention and care in our operations. Our incredible staff and many of our volunteer Community Immunity Corps that provided mass vaccinations earlier this year are now ready to serve the children and families of Lane County. We’re so grateful for the incredible outpouring of volunteerism that continues to power our community wide efforts to protect all from COVID-19.”

Parents and guardians can schedule appointments at: Get Vaccinated - Lane County or by calling (541) 682-1380.


How do vaccines work for kids?

The COVID-19 vaccine works similarly to other vaccines your child or teen may have had. Germs such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, invade and multiply inside the body. The vaccine stops this by teaching the immune system to recognize and make antibodies to fight the virus. After vaccination, your child or teen has less of a chance of getting COVID-19. If they do get infected with the virus, they may not be as sick as they would without the vaccine.

What are the benefits of vaccination for children?

Getting your child or teen vaccinated will protect them from getting COVID-19. Although fewer children and teens have been infected with COVID-19 than adults, they can still catch the virus, get sick, and spread COVID-19 to others. The vaccines will help protect the people around them, like those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or those who can’t get vaccinated.

After vaccination, your child or teen has a lower chance of getting COVID-19. If they do get infected with the virus, they may not be as sick as they would without the vaccine.

Is the vaccine safe for my child?

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children and teens age 12 and up. COVID-19 vaccines are being given under the most intensive monitoring in U.S. history. Safety studies have included adolescents, and show the vaccines are safe for this age group.

Like adults, children and teens may have some side effects, such as site injection pain, headache, fever and muscle ache, after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These side effects may affect your child or teen's ability to do daily activities, but they should go away within a few days.

CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children and teens age 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. If you have questions or concerns, talk to a healthcare professional.

Do I need to accompany my child who is 12 -17 years old when they get a vaccine?

Under Oregon law, minors 15 years of age and older may consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, without parental consent. when provided by a physician, physician assistant, naturopath, nurse practitioner, dentist or optometrist, or other professionals operating under the license of these providers

If your child is 12, 13, or 14 years old, and not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, Lane County Public Health can provide them the vaccine if they  have a signed copy of this consent form (Español) . This consent form is intended to remove vaccine access barriers for individuals 12-14 years old by allowing them to get vaccinated without parental or guardian accompaniment.

Find a vaccine: Get Vaccinated

Will this impact my child's reproductive development?

No, the COVID-19 vaccines don't affect puberty or a child or teen's reproductive development in any way. Given that the vaccine's mRNA molecule mimics a natural human process, medical experts are confident that the vaccines are safe for growing bodies.



The Science Behind the COVID-19 Vaccine: Parent FAQs (AAP)

Are there any long term side effects on children?

Serious side effects that would cause a long-term health problem are highly unlikely following a COVID-19 vaccine.
Long-term side effects following any vaccine are extremely rare. Historically, vaccine monitoring has shown that if side effects are going to happen, they tend to happen within six weeks of a vaccine dose.

For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration made sure each of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines was studied for at least eight weeks after the final dose. Millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines, and no long-term side effects have been detected.

Can COVID-19 vaccines lead to heart inflammation in children and teens?

There have been a small number of reported cases of heart inflammation following a COVID-19 vaccine. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. Incidents have mostly been reported among mostly male adolescents and young adults who have received an mRNA vaccine. Among the hundreds of millions of vaccine doses given, these reports are rare.

Symptoms of these rare cases included chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart. Most patients with myocarditis who received care responded well to treatment and rest and quickly felt better.

CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continue to recommend that everyone 12 years of age and older be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you have questions or concerns, talk to a healthcare professional.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination (CDC)

Is the COVID-19 vaccine available for children under age 12?

Update November 1st, 2021:

Lane County Public Health is planning clinics for children ages 5 years-11 years for vaccination upon approval of the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination. All clinics for children ages 5-11 years are scheduled appointments only. There are not walk-in appointments at this time.

When will a COVID-19 vaccine be available for children under age 12?

Update November 1st, 2021:

Lane County Public Health is planning clinics for children ages 5 years-11 years for vaccination upon approval of the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination. All clinics for children ages 5-11 years are scheduled appointments only. There are not walk-in appointments at this time.

Should my child still wear a mask once they're fully vaccinated?

If your child is fully vaccinated, they can start to safely resume many activities. However, with the more contagious Delta variant circulating across the United States, health experts are encouraging all people to wear a mask indoors in public if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission. This will maximize protection against the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.

If someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is not yet vaccinated, or is at increased risk for severe disease, your child might wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status or the level of transmission in your area.

Your child should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance.

Will children in Lane County be required to wear masks at school this fall?

Yes. All students, employees and visitors in K-12 schools across Oregon will be required to wear face masks in the 2021-22 school year as COVID-19 continues to be a public health threat.

 Visit the Oregon Department of Education Website

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Kids 5 to 11

Effective November 9th, all LCPH clinics will be by appointment only and our scheduling tool will be live by the morning of Friday, November 5, 2021. Parents and guardians can schedule appointments at: Get Vaccinated - Lane County or by calling (541) 682-1380.