Children 5 and under now can get COVID vaccine. Here’s where to get in the Triangle

Kristen Johnson
·8 min read
2

Children ages 6 months to 5 years old now can receive a COVID-19 vaccine, making nearly everyone eligible for the shot.

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on authorizing both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for young children, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services sent doses of the vaccine to more than 300 pediatric offices and local health centers. Several local pharmacies and vaccination clinics have opened also appointments in Wake County and in the Triangle area for parents looking to get a shot.

On Friday, Kathryn Boulous brought her 2-year-old daughter, Skylar, a pandemic baby, to get the shot at athe UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary. She had been eagerly awaiting the authorization for young children to get the vaccine. Her father died of COVID-19.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” she said. “This (vaccine) took a little longer but the day finally came.”

Lynell Batchelor, RN, prepares to give Skylar Boulus, 2, of Cary a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022. With Skylar is her mother, Kathryn. The vaccine was just authorized for children from six months to five years old. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” Boulus said. “This (vaccine) took a little longer but the day finally came.”

So far, 70% of children five through 11 in North Carolina have had at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. That number climbs to 75% for those who are 12 to 18.

The vaccines remain free.

Still, some parents have lingering questions about the vaccine for small children, including possible side effects, the differences between the two vaccines, and how soon they can get one.

Here is what medical experts want you to know and where you can find an appointment:

Who is eligible for the shot?

Children as young as 6 months old can now get the COVID-19 vaccine shot. Kids ages 5 through 11 can also get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and are now eligible for a booster shot.

Since March 2020, the virus has had a fatal impact on young children, and medical experts encourage families to consider further protecting them against it.

Children who have already had COVID-19 should also get vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Priyanka Rao, a pediatrician at the UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics, said many parents in the community have been enthusiastic about getting their small children vaccinated against COVID-19. When children ages 5 and up became eligible, there was an influx of appointments for them.

When it comes to uncertainty, open conversation between providers and families helps to ease some of the worry, she said.

“I think over the next few weeks to months is when we as pediatricians and others who work with children will be having a lot more of the conversations about risks and benefits and the best times to get it, and trying to help families getting answers,” Rao said. “Being able to get the vaccine in the (doctor’s) office is very helpful.”

Sanket Dalal of Cary puts a ‘I got the shot’ sticker on his one-year-old daughter Nilani after she received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022. Holding Nilani is her mother, Nikita.
Sanket Dalal of Cary puts a ‘I got the shot’ sticker on his one-year-old daughter Nilani after she received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022. Holding Nilani is her mother, Nikita.

Which vaccine is more effective for young children?

Rao said she recommends either vaccine for children.

The Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines have all been proven to be effective, despite some differences in dosage. They all protect individuals from the COVID-19 virus and from severe illness and death from it.

Currently, only the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available for children as young as 6 months.

The Moderna vaccine is administered as a primary series of two doses, one month apart. In clinical trials, this vaccine was 50% effective at preventing the virus in children younger than 2. Data on the Moderna vaccine is still being evaluated, according to UNC health officials.

The Pfizer vaccine is a series of three shots in which the two first shots are given three weeks apart, followed by a third shot at least eight weeks after the second dose for babies and toddlers 6 months to 4 years old. The vaccine was 76% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children younger than two and 82% effective in children between 2 and 4 years old.

A Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for six month to five years old photographed at the UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., Friday, June 24, 2022.
A Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for six month to five years old photographed at the UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., Friday, June 24, 2022.

What about side effects?

Based on what clinical trial results have shown, the side effects in children after the vaccine shot are minor and temporary.

Rao said they are also similar to the ones seen in older children and adults, such as a sore arm, a low-grade fever and fatigue. However after about 24 to 48 hours, the babies and toddlers are back to their normal selves, she said.

How can I prepare my child for the shot?

It’s no secret that most children don’t like getting shots and many cry when they get them. However the shot won’t necessarily hurt small children. The common places of injection are in the arm or leg, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Rao said for children who are 3 or 4, parents should talk to them about what they can expect before they come in for their appointment.

“Helping them to know exactly what’s going to happen,” Rao said. “They’re going to check in and someone is going to clean your leg, and then they’re going to give you a poke or pinch and it will hurt for a few minutes and then it’ll be over.

“Parents or providers being able to help their child plan for what’s going to happen can help.”

Rao also said going to a child’s regular pediatrician is helpful for kids who are familiar with the doctor. In situations where that isn’t option, Rao suggests parents know as much about the new location of a health center so that children can know what to walk into.

As her father Blair Reeves holds her hands, Penny Reeves, 4, of Pittsboro looks at where she just received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Lynell Batchelor, RN, at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022.
As her father Blair Reeves holds her hands, Penny Reeves, 4, of Pittsboro looks at where she just received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Lynell Batchelor, RN, at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Can I go to the pharmacy?

Most pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS, have the vaccine for young children available. But children younger than 3 years old need to get their shots from their pediatrician or a local health center, Rao said.

Walgreens began administering the vaccine for children 3 and up on June 25. Appointments can be made through Walgreens.com or by calling 1-800-Walgreens.

CVS is offering the Pfizer vaccine for children 18 months and older at their MinuteClinic. Appointments can be made on their website at cvs.com/minuteclinic.

Pharmacies at Costco and Walmart also offer vaccines for children 3 and older. Appointments can be made on their scheduling websites.

Where else can I make an appointment?

The state Department of Health and Human Services offers a tool to locate the nearest healthcare providers offering COVID-19 vaccines for children and adults.

All administering clinics and health centers can be found through MySpot.nc.gov or by calling the state vaccine help center at 888-675-4567.

Several health departments in the Triangle area also have begun administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jared Hocutt of Cary puts a ‘I got the shot’ sticker on his daughter, River, after she received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022.
Jared Hocutt of Cary puts a ‘I got the shot’ sticker on his daughter, River, after she received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Wake County

Vaccines for babies and toddlers are now available at any of the county’s health department’s five locations six days a week, including weekends and in the evening. All of the clinics are administering first, second and booster shots.

  • Wake County Human Services Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Wake County Public Health Center and Wake County Northern Regional Center, Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Wake County Southern Regional Center and the Wake County Eastern Regional Center, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments can be made at WakeGov.com.

Durham County

The Durham County Public Health now administers the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine for small children. Appointments can be made by calling 919-560-9217. The service is offered at the health department at 414 E. Main St., Durham on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orange County

Appointments opened June 27 for young children at the clinic at Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill. Shots are given by appointment only Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The vaccine is also offered for 5 and up at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center at 1020 US 70 W., Hillsborough. That clinic is open Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Go to takemyshot.nc.gov or call 919-913-8088 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For details, go to orangecountync.gov/getyourshot.

Kathryn Boulus of Cary holds onto her daughter Skylar, 2, of Cary after she received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” Boulus said. “This (vaccine) took a little longer but the day finally came.”
Kathryn Boulus of Cary holds onto her daughter Skylar, 2, of Cary after she received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek in Cary, N.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” Boulus said. “This (vaccine) took a little longer but the day finally came.”

Johnston County

The health department offers the Moderna vaccine for children as young as 6 months at 517 N. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield. Vaccines are available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Chatham County

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccine is being offered for children at the Chatham County Public Health Department in Siler City at 1000 S. Tenth Ave. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 919-742-5671.