WILBRAHAM, Massachusetts (WWLP) — About 510,000 children in Massachusetts are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, and 15,000 have already received the first dose.
The infrastructure is there this time. State health officials say that because of easy access to the vaccine, children will be vaccinated much faster than adults initially. The offices of pediatricians, primary care physicians, health centers, and retail pharmacies all offer the pediatric Pfizer vaccine.
Top doctor expects rapid increase in vaccinations for young children
Thursday was the first day Big Y’s pharmacy in Wilbraham began offering the pediatric dose, and they’re already seeing appointments filling up.
Chris Krupa, a pharmacist at Big Y, told 22News: “The last family, we had four children, so all four of them were vaccinated. We’re definitely getting into those numbers because we’re carrying all three vaccines, we’re also getting into our adult population.”
Many vaccination sites are seeing an increase in people getting vaccinated, which health officials say is a good thing, especially as the holiday season approaches.
“I think for a lot of people it’s mostly travel… seeing family, that sort of thing. I think as people become more familiar with the vaccine, they know the side effects,” Krupa added.
State health officials say the pediatric dose is much lower than the normal dose we get as adults, which has been shown to reduce the side effects of fever, body aches and chills.
A state-sponsored initiative is bringing pediatric vaccines to the Springfield Museums this weekend. It’s free and no appointment is needed.
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