LOUISVILLE, Ky — A day after the CDC recommended pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine for young kids, Norton Healthcare is scheduling appointments with the first shots expected to begin Friday.
“Our plan will be to offer the pediatric vaccine for COVID at all of our pediatric primary care offices. We encourage patients to be able to schedule there with their Norton pediatrician," Craig Johnson of Norton said Wednesday. Johnson is the vice president of operations for the Norton Medial Group.
The vaccine will also be available at Norton’s existing vaccine clinics in St. Matthews and West Louisville and immediate care locations.
“Nortonchildrens.com is the best way as additional appointments become available we'll be able to add those there and parents can select the locations and dates and times that are best for them," Johnson adds.
As far as side-effects caused by the pediatric vaccine, Dr. Kristina Bryant of Norton says they are similar to what adults experience and no more severe.
“Most common side effect, sore arm. Other pretty common side effects are feeling tired and having a headache, similar to what we saw in adults," Dr. Bryant said.
Dr. Bryant says three to four kids out of 100 may develop a fever after the first dose.
“Maybe a few more than that after the second dose but most side effects were mild to moderate. They only lasted a couple of days.”
As with the adult vaccine, the pediatric version also requires a booster shot after three weeks.
“This dose actually gives a great immune response in kids 5 to 11 years of age and was 90% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID infections." Dr. Bryant said.
More information about Norton and pediatric Pfizer vaccine provide by can be found HERE.