INDIANAPOLIS — Children ages 5-11 are now eligible for a booster dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana.
This comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the booster shot this week.
The Indiana Department of Health told vaccine providers they can start administering the booster dose to children in the age group at least five months after their last dose.
Dr. Christopher Belcher, Infection Prevention Medical Director at Ascension St. Vincent, says the CDC authorization is going to make an impact.
"Children still do get COVID; it does affect their lives. In some cases it can be that it just makes them sick and miserable, but there are complications from COVID ... and there are still problems with post COVID," Belcher said.
Belcher says COVID is still out in the community and very easy to catch. He's encouraging people to go ahead and get a booster.
MORE: Full coronavirus coverage from WRTV
"A lot of the pediatric offices do have the vaccine it in stock. It's also a good time to make sure your kid is up to date on all of the other vaccines. During the lockdown time. a lot of kids missed visits and are behind on their vaccines," Belcher said.
To schedule an appointment to get the booster dose or find a vaccination site, you can visit ourshot.in.gov or call 211.
WRTV reporter Rachael Wilkerson contributed to this report.
-
Whitestown offers free bus service to warehouses to ease worker access
The Whitestown connector is a free bus service from Indianapolis to the Whitestown warehouse district. Connecting employees to gainful jobs.McCordsville starts by restoring one of its oldest post offices
A small, now-empty building on Broadway Street holds a large piece of McCordsville’s past. The town is working to preserve that rich history and put it on display for everybody in the community.Hoosier lake communities and businesses prepare for summer’s last big weekend
As summer winds down, Morse Reservoir is buzzing with activity ahead of Labor Day weekend. For boaters and local businesses, it’s one last chance to soak in the season before the docks start to empty.Indianapolis teacher earns STEM stipend to inspire East Side students
Buchanan recently received a $3,000 stipend from the Society for Science Advocate Program, which supports teachers who mentor students in scientific research and competitions.