Dear North Metro Flex Academy Families, 11/3/21
The time we’ve been waiting for is here! The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for use in children aged 5–11 years old, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children in this age group get vaccinated.
In their review, the FDA, CDC and independent advisory committees have all found Pfizer vaccine for 5–11-year-old is safe for children. It has been carefully studied in children ages 5-11 years-old, just like it was for people 12 and older. This process is called a clinical trial and all authorized vaccines have gone through it. Only vaccines shown to be safe and effective are authorized to be used.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children, and it is highly effective at preventing severe illness. The vaccine will help protect your child, family, friends, and loved ones from COVID-19, and it will help them stay safe during school, sports, and other social activities.
The State of Minnesota has been preparing for the vaccine’s authorization for 5–11-year-olds and has mobilized a diverse group of providers around the state. Hospitals, clinics, local public health, Tribal health agencies, pharmacies, school located clinics and state-run community clinics are preparing to administer vaccines to our children as quickly as possible.
To get their vaccine, Minnesota families can:
• Visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find clinic locations near you.
• Check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or pharmacy about appointments.
• Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.
All-in-all this is great news for our kids. As the Delta variant drives a fourth wave of cases in the state, we know that kids aren’t immune from the severe effects of COVID-19. Since the end of summer, pediatric cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled. Between July 1 and October 26, there have been more than 45,200 pediatric cases and more than 300 child hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Minnesota. We also know that serious COVID-19 cases can occur in healthy children (about 25% of COVID-19 pediatric deaths in the U.S. have occurred in healthy children) and common underlying conditions like asthma and obesity can put kids at an even greater risk of severe illness.
Now is the time to vaccinate your children aged 5 and older. If you have questions about vaccines, your pediatrician or family physician can be an excellent source of information. You can also get more information from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit mn.gov/vaxforkids, the state’s new web page for parents on COVID-19 vaccine for children and teens to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and where to get your child vaccinated.
We all want a world in which our kids can just be kids again—the vaccine helps get us there.
All the best,
Jessaca Karg
Office/Kitchen Manager & Covid Coordinator
Attachments:
• Top 4 Reasons to Get Vaccinated: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/vaxteen.pdf
• What You Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/vaxtruths.pdf
