BEND, OR -- Young children can begin receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at St. Charles Family Care clinics starting Monday. The vaccine is free and available for children 6 months to 4 years of age. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling a Family Care clinic or via the MyChart patient portal.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved COVID-19 vaccination for young children who are at least 6 months old. “This is important progress in our fight against COVID-19,” said Dr. Cynthia Maree, St. Charles’ medical director of infection prevention said in a statement. “Vaccines continue to be effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization. In children, they also help prevent multisystem inflammatory syndrome and may prevent long COVID.”
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorization because clinical trials—which included more than 4,500 children and continued during different phases of the Omicron wave—proved it is safe and effective. The FDA also gave emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine, but for efficiency, St. Charles is only offering the Pfizer vaccine.
For the 6-months to 4-years-old age group, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered in three doses, with two doses spaced three weeks apart and followed by a third dose at least two months later. Each shot has less vaccine in it than the dosage for older children and adults. Vaccination is considered most effective seven days after the third dose.
“COVID-19 is still in Central Oregon and is still a threat to our children,” Maree said. “I strongly recommend parents discuss vaccination with their pediatrician if they have more questions.”
To schedule an appointment:
- Bend East Family Care Clinic
2600 Northeast Neff Road - 541-706-4800 - Bend South Family Care Clinic
61250 Southeast Coombs Place - 541-706-5935 - La Pine Family Care Clinic
51781 Huntington Road - 541-907-7040 - Madras Family Care Clinic
480 Northeast A Street - 541-475-4800 - Prineville Family Care Clinic
384 Southeast Combs Flat Road - 541-447-6263 - Redmond Family Care Clinic
211 Northwest Larch Avenue - 541-548-2164
