Syringes of the Pfizer vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on Thursday, Jan. 28. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Oregon kids age 5 to 11 can get a Covid vaccine starting Wednesday, Gov. Kate Brown said.
The governor announced Wednesday morning that the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on Tuesday night reviewed federal data and unanimously concluded that the Pfizer Covid vaccine is safe and effective for kids age 5 to 11.
The decision comes following federal approval of an emergency use authorization of the shot. The vaccine approved for children is a lower dose vaccine than the teen and adult version of the shot.
“The workgroup thoroughly reviewed safety data for the vaccine, including the absence of any severe adverse events among vaccine recipients in the clinical trial. Reactions were mild and similar to those seen in adolescents and adults and with other vaccines routinely recommended for children and were less common at ages 5-11 years than at 16-25 years,” the governor’s office said in a news release.
The Oregon Health Authority said Tuesday the state’s vaccination providers will receive 120,000 doses of the child-approved vaccine. Another 60,000 doses will be sent directly to pharmacy chains.
“With delivery anticipated this week through Nov. 8, the supply will go to approximately 350 provider sites across the state, guided by our goals to protect children and end health disparities among communities of color,” the agency said in a bulletin Tuesday.
See our guide here for information about which Salem-area providers are scheduling vaccination appointments for kids.
-Rachel Alexander
