Those who want to vaccinate their children can do so at four Houston Health Department centers: Northside Health Center at 8504 Schuller Road, Houston; Sharpstown Health Services at 6201 Bonhomme Road, Houston; Sunnyside Health Center at 4605 Wilmington St., Houston; and La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center at 1809 N. Main St., Houston.
According to the release, the change comes after a new recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deeming it safe for children as young as 6 months old.
“Children under age 4 were the last group that remained highly vulnerable because of the lack of access to an approved vaccine,” said David Persse, chief medical officer for the city of Houston, in the release.
Children who receive the Moderna vaccine will be given a two-dose series with the second dose being given a month after the first. Children who receive the Pfizer vaccine will be given a three-dose series with the second shot given three weeks after the first and the third given two months later, the release said.
According to the release, children who are given the vaccine may experience fewer side effects than adults but could still see effects, such as pain, swelling and redness in the arm where the shot was given. Other side effects could include fever, tiredness, a headache, chills, muscle or joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. Children under 3 could experience irritability, sleepiness and a loss of appetite, the release said.
The vaccine is free and does not require insurance or proof of residency. More information can be found on the city's website.
“Vaccinating children will not only help keep Houston safer from COVID, but also bring a sense of relief to parents since they have long awaited this vaccine,” Persse said.
