COLUMBUS, Ohio — Now that the federal government has given authorization for children ages 5-11 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, children’s hospitals throughout Ohio are preparing to administer the doses. 

What You Need To Know

  • Four of Ohio’s largest children’s hospitals announced plans to vaccinate children ages 5-11 against the COVID-19

  • The CDC authorized Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11

  • Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was 91 percent effective at preventing the coronavirus, according to the CDC

  • COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for children ages 5-11 at select CVS locations

On Wednesday, Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus announced that it will begin administering the vaccine to children ages 5-11 starting on Wednesday evening. The hospital will have regular vaccine clinics for children ages 5-11 both at the main campus near downtown and at satellite locations. Parents can schedule a vaccine appointment on the Nationwide Children’s Hospital website. 

Meanwhile, Cleveland-area children will be able to get COVID-19 vaccines through University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies. University Hospitals is encouraging parents of children ages 5-11 to contact their pediatrician's office to schedule an appointment. University Hospitals also said that Rainbow Babies will be conducting pediatric vaccination clinics throughout the area. Parents can call 216-206-8019 to schedule an appointment. 

Dayton Children’s Hospital said it will begin holding vaccination clinics on Monday. In addition to frequent clinics at the hospital’s main campus, there will also be upcoming clinics at Dayton Children’s south campus in Miamisburg and at UD Arena. Parents can schedule an appointment on Dayton Children’s Hospital website.

“We’re excited for the chance to protect kids between 5 and 11 and whose families want them protected,” said Dr. Adam Mezoff, Dayton Children’s Hospital’s chief medical officer. “Kids are not little adults and the team at Dayton Children’s is uniquely prepared to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to this age group. By getting this group vaccinated, we’re one step closer to putting an end to this pandemic.”

Cincinnati Children’s said it is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at its Burnet Campus, Liberty Campus and Green Township location. The vaccinations are available either on a walk-up basis or by scheduling online.

For those preferring to visit a pharmacy, CVS said pediatric COVID-19 vaccines will be available at 40 of its Ohio locations. Appointments can be booked on the CVS website.

The decision to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 came after clinical trials found Pfizer’s vaccine was 91 percent effective in preventing the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that vaccine side effects were mild, self-limiting and similar to those seen in adults. 

Roughly 28 million children became eligible for the vaccine, according to the CDC.

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