Texas MedClinic offers pediatric COVID-19 vaccine
November 8, 2021
All 19 locations in region providing Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adults and children ages 5-17
The Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine is now available for children ages 5 – 11 at Texas MedClinic locations in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Austin and Round Rock, 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. every day. Reservations are required, and can be made by checking in online at texasmedclinic.com.
Following the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) last week, Texas MedClinic received their first shipment of the pediatric vaccine from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services on Friday.
“It’s one more tool in our medicine kit to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Texas MedClinic Chief Operating Officer and practicing physician Dr. David Gude. “And it comes just in time for the holiday season when we have consistently seen a rise in COVID-19 cases.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the pediatric vaccine, which contains the same adult and adolescent formulation but is 1/3 of the dose and is given with a smaller needle. The pediatric vaccine is a two-dose regimen given three weeks apart. A parent/guardian must be present for the vaccination. As with the adult vaccination process, there is a 15-minute observation period required to monitor for allergic reactions. Pediatric patients will receive a COVID-19 vaccination card.
“Serving the youngest of patients requires a little extra compassion, creativity and calm. Our doctors, nurses and medical technicians know it can be stressful for the child and the parent/s, and we are prepared,” said Gude. “We will be communicating to parents what to expect, including side effects from the vaccine, which are similar to those in adults and adolescents and include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and possible fever and chills. All side effects should generally clear in 48 hours.”
Texas MedClinic recommends parents bring a special toy or activity to ease anxiety for their child; special band aids and stickers will be provided. Parents may also receive the COVID-19 vaccination at the same time their child receives theirs, and flu shots will also be available.
Scientists have conducted clinical trials with about 3,000 children and the FDA has determined that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has met the safety and efficacy standards for authorization in children ages 5 through 15 years. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received FDA-approval for people ages 16 and older in August.
Since March 24, the urgent care provider has administered over 25,000 vaccines. In March 2020 Texas MedClinic was the first in the region to offer a COVID-19 rapid antigen test that provided results in 15 minutes. Since the onset of the pandemic, over 396,000 rapid antigen tests have been administered across 19 clinic locations.
