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.
-
Ballard turns in 74,000 signatures in independent secretary of state bid
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on Tuesday said his success in gathering signatures shows his candidacy is a movement.Cayuga man sentenced to prison for 11 and 1/2 years for child pornography
A man in Vermillion County was sentenced to prison for 11 and 1/2 years on Thursday for possessing child pornography, police say.
USAC points leader Jakeb Boxell aims to get first feature victory in BC39 at IMS
The BC39 gets underway this week on The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jakeb Boxell looks to get his first feature victory in the series.
Cayuga man was sentenced for child pornography
36-year-old Zachary McBride of Cayuga was sentenced after he "engaged in communicating with a minor" and provided the minor funds for groceries in exchange for child pornography.