The CDC now recommends all children ages 5-11 be vaccinated for COVID-19. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are now available at White House Clinics. The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only vaccine recommended for children in this age range. 

We understand there is a lot of information circulating about the safety and efficacy of this vaccine, so we put together some frequently asked questions and responses from reliable health care sources to help you may make an informed decision for your family. 

Is is safe?

Yes. The pediatric COVID-19 vaccine uses the same technology as seen in the adult vaccine, which has been proven to be safe and effective at preventing illness and death caused by COVID-19.  The vaccine is showing a 91% rate of effectiveness among children ages 5-11 who are completing the vaccination.  The vaccine only impacts the immune system, so there is no concern that the vaccine will impact current or future fertility or reproductive health.  

You may have read or heard about a rare side effect called myocarditis, a form of heart inflammation. It is important to note myocarditis can also occur as a complication of several viral infections, including COVID-19, and is most often seen in adolescent boys and young men. The condition typically clears up within weeks or a few months. In people age 30 or younger, the CDC has confirmed only 877 cases of myocarditis after the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine resulting in 0 deaths.   

How was it studied?

The CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate children was based on the Pfizer-BioNTech study of 4,600 children worldwide, of whom approximately 3,100 received the low-dose vaccine and about 1,500 received a placebo. These studies showed that the vaccine is about 91% effective against COVID-19 in children ages 5-11. Additionally, of the 3,100 pediatric participants, there were 0 deaths, 0 cases of myocarditis, 0 cases of Bell’s Palsy, and 0 cases of anaphylaxis.  The immune system response to the vaccine among these pediatric patients, as measured by antibodies, was comparable to the response seen in vaccinated 16 to 25-year-olds.

Is the pediatric dose the same as the adult dose?

No, it is a lower dose–specifically one-third the adult dose.  Like the adult formulation, the pediatric vaccine is given in two doses, three weeks apart. The lower dose was chosen to produce strong immunity while minimizing side effects, Pfizer says. 

Why should my child get it?

Getting COVID-19 is a greater risk to your child’s health than getting the vaccine. Overall, there have been more than 8,300 children ages 5 to 11 hospitalized with COVID-19. More than 2,300 children in this age group have gotten a related illness called MIS-C, a severe condition that affects multiple organs and can be fatal. The 5-11 age group had the highest number of cases of MIS-C among children.

Do I need to schedule an appointment?

We encourage everyone to call ahead to secure their spot. White House Clinics’ has dedicated clinic time for pediatric COVID-19 vaccines. See below to find a time and location near you. This information may also be found on our Facebook page.  Check back for updates.

Monday 11/8 Tuesday 11/9 Wednesday 11/10 Thursday 11/11 Friday 11/12 Saturday 11/13
Berea 3-6p
Lancaster 3-6p		 Richmond 3-7p McKee 3-6p
Mt. Vernon 3-6p		 Irvine 3-6p
Richmond 3-6p		 Richmond 9-1
Berea 9-1
Monday 11/15 Tuesday 11/16 Wednesday 11/17 Thursday 11/18 Friday 11/19 Saturday 11/20
Mt. Vernon 3-6p Lancaster 3-6p
Irvine 3-6p		 Richmond 3-7p
Mt. Vernon 3-6p		 Lancaster 3-6p
McKee 3-6p		 Berea 3-6p
Irvine 3-5p
McKee 3-6p		 Richmond 9-1
Berea 9-1


If you have any questions or concerns about whether the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is right for your child, please call us. We are here to help.

Sources: CDC, NPR, New York Times.