“The Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MNAAP), representing nearly 1,000 pediatricians around the state, is excited to join with the Governor and administration in standing ready to vaccinate and protect children ages 5 years and older against COVID-19,” said Dr. Sheldon Berkowitz, president of MNAAP. “Parents and guardians are encouraged to get their children over 5 vaccinated as soon as possible – visiting their pediatrician, primary clinic or one of the many other locations and opportunities that feels most comfortable and accessible. As Minnesotans can learn in the new videos helping to reach out and educate families, pediatricians and your trusted health providers are available to answer any questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids”.
“This is a milestone moment in the fight against COVID-19,” said Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota. “As the largest pediatric provider in the state, Children’s Minnesota has seen first-hand the pandemic’s direct and indirect effect on kids. Not only can kids get seriously sick enough to require ICU care, but they’ve also had to struggle through distance learning, time away from friends, and even isolation from grandparents. We encourage families to get their eligible children vaccinated as soon as they can at the vaccination site nearest to them. Each shot brings us one step closer to getting out of this pandemic.”
“Our medically complex patients are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, so increased access to vaccines is welcome news,” said Barbara Joers, president and CEO of Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. “At Gillette Children’s, we are committed to protecting our patients and our community from COVID-19, and we stand ready to expand our current vaccination efforts.”
“After a challenging and anxious year and a half, we are happy that the COVID-19 vaccine is finally available to younger children. We know that families are making thoughtful decisions about how to best protect their children,” said Bharti Wahi, executive director of Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota. “We appreciate the Administration’s effort to center families’ need for accurate information and to support equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine through outreach efforts with trusted community partners. This is a positive step forward to help all Minnesota children and families to more comfortably engage in school, sports, out-of-school activities, music, and arts programs.”
Children are not immune from the severe effects of COVID-19, and common underlying conditions like asthma and obesity can put kids at an even greater risk of severe illness. From July 1 to October 26, there were more than 45,200 pediatric cases and more than 300 child hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Minnesota. Serious cases can even occur in healthy children. Roughly 25% of COVID-19 pediatric deaths nationally have occurred in healthy children.
COVID-19 can also have long-term consequences. Thousands of children have been diagnosed with COVID-19-linked multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, in the U.S., with about 100 cases in Minnesota. Some of these children need ICU-level care.
In response to community feedback and to meet families where they are, the Walz-Flanagan Administration has mobilized a diverse network of more than 1,100 providers to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5-11. More than 530 pediatric and family medicine clinics, primary care providers, federally qualified health centers, local public health agencies, tribal health agencies, and Indian Health Service locations have said they are preparing to vaccinate Minnesota children. Additionally, over 600 pharmacies are preparing to provide COVID-19 vaccine to children under the age of 12 in some or all their locations, based on their supply from the federal government.
To ensure equitable distribution of the vaccine and expand access to more children and families, the Walz-Flanagan Administration is partnering with school districts and charter schools to host vaccination clinics in school buildings for children and families. In a recent survey of Minnesota school districts and charter schools, 80% of respondents have indicated interest in hosting vaccination clinics. This week the Administration is partnering with three districts and schools to host clinics, and 15 more school-based vaccination clinics in high-need areas are planned around Minnesota over the next three weeks with more clinics in the works.
To ensure equitable distribution of the vaccine and expand access to more children and families, the Walz-Flanagan Administration is partnering with school districts and charter schools to host vaccination clinics in school buildings for children and families. In a recent survey of Minnesota school districts and charter schools, 80% of respondents have indicated interest in hosting vaccination clinics. This week the Administration is partnering with three districts and schools to host clinics, and 15 more school-based vaccination clinics in high-need areas are planned around Minnesota over the next three weeks with more clinics in the works.
Minnesota’s successful Community Vaccination Program location at the Mall of America has tripled its capacity to provide up to 1,500 shots per day to 5- to 11-year-olds. MDH’s Covid-19 Community Coordinators – trusted community partners – will host clinics offering not only vaccines to 5- to 11-year-olds but shots for the whole family.
Family Resources:
Two new videos were created featuring Minnesota pediatricians sharing information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children and why it is important to get kids vaccinated:
