Here's what to know about vaccines and the end of the Public Health Emergency: Vaccines continue to be a safe and effect way to prevent hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 in Alexandria. COVID-19 still exists in Alexandria and across the country, and it continues to be a leading cause of death nationwide. This does not mean COVID-19 is going away. Monique Calello (she/her) is a health & social justice reporter with The News Leader in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.On May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will expire. More: Staunton's COVID cases fall 42.9% Virginia cases plummet 11.6% More: Virginia changes COVID-19 quarantine rules for adults, children due to higher immunity rates “VDH is excited that parents have this opportunity and are empowered to protect their youngest children against this virus.” We urge parents to consult with their child’s healthcare provider about vaccination. There are a variety of venues open to Virginia parents to vaccinate their children, including community vaccination events set up by local health departments, pharmacies and, of course, pediatrician’s offices. “We at VDH are pleased to begin offering this vaccine to parents who want to protect their youngest children from severe illness and hospitalization due to this virus. “With the CDC’s endorsement of the recommendation of its independent panel of advisers that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can be safely administered to children 4 years of age and younger down to 6 months of age and the Moderna vaccine to children 5 years of age down to 6 months, one of the final fronts in the battle against COVID-19 has opened up. The following is a statement from Virginia’s State Vaccination Coordinator and Director of the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Immunization Christy Gray: Retail pharmacies for children ages 3 years and older.Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).Your support is vital to local journalism. Parents should follow up with their pediatrician or other healthcare provider for specific information about the vaccines they’ll be offering, advised the VDH.īecause VDH has been planning for the expansion of vaccine eligibility and availability for several months, families will have many options for where to get their children a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Some providers may choose to offer both vaccines, while others may decide only to offer one. The Virginia Department of Health would like to stress to parents that providers can choose which vaccine to offer to their patients, the VDH said. The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series administered four weeks apart. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is a three-dose series with the first two doses administered three weeks apart and a third dose at least two months after the second dose. The CDC director gave her final approval to the recommendation later that afternoon, the Virginia Department of Health said in a news release. The CDC’s independent panel of experts, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years. RICHMOND - All Virginians from the age of six months and older are eligible now to get a free COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Virginia Department of Health, following the unanimous recommendations on June 18 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric vaccines for the youngest of children. Watch Video: FDA authorizes 1st COVID-19 shots for kids under 5
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