Local COVID-19 vaccination events scheduled for children 6 months to 5 years of age

Cook County Public Health and Human Services and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic have scheduled local COVID- 19 vaccination events on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the Cook County Community Center for children in the 6-months to 5-year-old age group using the age-appropriate Moderna vaccine. This follows last week’s decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that all children in this age group, including those who have already had COVID-19, should receive a COVID-19 vaccine to better protect them from the virus and its complications.

The Moderna vaccine for those in the 6-months to 5-years age range is a two-dose primary series, with the doses spaced 4 weeks a part, with a third dose recommended four weeks after the second for those in this age range who have weakened immune systems. As with any vaccine for those under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian is required to be present at the point of vaccination.

“As the parent of a child in this age group and as a public health professional I am so grateful to have the opportunity for our youngest community members to be able to be vaccinated against COVID-19,” stated Grace Grinager, Cook County Public Health Supervisor. “While young children are less likely to become seriously ill due to COVID-19, we know that serious outcomes can happen to people of any age. Vaccination helps protect children from severe disease, hospitalization, or death due to COVID-19. These vaccines are such an important tool to reduce risk for our children, and to help them to enjoy social gatherings, daycare, and preschool with less risk of becoming sick with COVID-19 and passing the virus to those around them.

Local registration for the July 6 event is available on the Cook County COVID-19 Hub Site at www.cookcountycovid19.org. All who register will be automatically registered for the Wednesday, August 3 clinic for their second dose. The events will include a resource fair with information for families of young children.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for those in the 6-month to 5-year age range will also be available at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, by appointment only, following the July 6 event. Appointments can be made by calling the clinic at (218) 387-2330. Grand Portage Health Services will not be offering the vaccine for those in the 6-month to 5-year age range and encourages Grand Portage families to call Sawtooth Mountain Clinic to schedule vaccinations for this age group.