­­For Immediate Release: June 21, 2022

The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and other providers are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to Alexandria’s youngest residents: children under five years of age.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for this age group and accepted the recommendation of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which met on June 17 and 18 to review administration and safety data for the vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the vaccines’ Emergency Use Authorization last week to include doses and vaccine schedules for children between six months and five years of age. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is for ages six months – four years and is three doses, with three weeks between the first and second dose, and eight weeks between the second and third dose. The Moderna vaccine is for ages six months – five years and is two doses separated by four weeks. 

Parents and guardians in Alexandria have multiple locations to choose from when getting their youngest vaccinated, including AHD vaccine clinics, pharmacies (for ages three and up), and pediatricians’ offices. Minors are not able to consent to immunizations, so a parent or guardian must consent either in advance or at the vaccination site, depending on the provider. Vaccine appointments for this age group at AHD clinics will be posted on a rolling basis, and parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their children’s healthcare provider/pediatrician to see if their office is providing COVID-19 vaccines for this group. Appointments are required at this time.

AHD will coordinate with community partners to host vaccine events at daycares, doctor’s offices, and throughout the community. Visit alexandriava.gov/Vaccines to find appointments. Appointments at providers such as pharmacies will be available on vaccines.gov. For support finding a vaccine, contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 703.746.4988.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Vaccines for more information.

For media inquiries only, contact Natalie Talis, Population Health Manager, at natalie.talis@vdh.virginia.gov and 703.746.4914.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact natalie.talis@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4914, Virginia Relay 711.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3705.