Vaccine clinics set for kids 5 and up

Island County is offering COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children ages 5 and older on Whidbey Island.

By Jessie Stensland • November 9, 2021 1:30 am

Island County is offering COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children ages 5 and older on Whidbey Island as the infection rate among children is finally starting to drop.

The Pfizer vaccine was approved for emergency use for children ages 5 to 11 earlier this month. It is the only vaccine currently available for younger children.

The vaccine protects children from the virus by making it less likely they will get infected, may help prevent the transmission of the virus and makes it less likely that children who get COVID will become seriously ill, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Case rates among children had been significantly higher than adults in the county and across the state since the delta variant became prevalent in the last few months. But the rates among younger children have dropped considerably in recent weeks and are now closer to the rate for adults, the county’s COVID response team reported.

Overall case rates continue to slowly decline but have stagnated at a high level, the county reported.

A total of 24 cases were reported in the seven-day period ending Nov. 4. The overall 14-day case rate was 198 per 100,000 people. For those ages 12-19, the rate was 287 and for the kids 0-11 years old, the rate was 188.

The vaccine for children 5-11 years old is available at pediatrician offices and pharmacies now.

In addition, the county is offering the following vaccination clinics for children ages 5 and older to receive first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine:

* 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13 at Oak Harbor Elementary School, 151 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.

* 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 at South Whidbey Elementary School, North Campus, 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley.

* 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 at Coupeville Elementary School, 6 S. Main St., Coupeville.

Appointments must be made using the schools’ online forms via Signup Genius.

Children should bring their vaccination card to the follow-up clinic three weeks later.

The following vaccination clinics for children ages 5 and older receiving second doses of the Pfizer vaccine are scheduled:

* 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 at Oak Harbor Elementary School, 151 S.E. Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.

* 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 at South Whidbey Elementary School, North Campus, 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley.

* 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at Coupeville Elementary School, 6 S. Main St., Coupeville.