Oakland County Preps For COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout For Ages 5-11

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — The Oakland County Health Division announced Wednesday that it's developing plans to administer pediatric doses as early as sometime in November.

The move comes as county health officials anticipate that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will soon approve emergency use authorization for pediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 – 11 years old.

According to the county, its health division is collaborating with local school districts to determine how best to rollout clinics for pediatric doses. It's also placed preliminary orders for pediatric doses so they will arrive in a timely manner following the CDC’s approval.

Oakland County officials said they will release further details of pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinics after the CDC approves emergency use authorization for and issues guidance about administering pediatric doses.

“Immunizing residents who remain unvaccinated is vital to limiting the transmission of COVID-19,” Oakland County Health Division Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust said in a news release. “The more residents who get the COVID-19 vaccine, the closer we will be to slowing the pandemic to manageable levels.”

County health officials said that than 276,000 eligible Oakland County residents remain unvaccinated, at least 45,000 of whom are ages 12-19 years old. New cases of COVID-19 continue to grow, especially among unvaccinated residents. Of the more than 4,600 new confirmed and probable cases in Oakland County from October 11-24, residents 39 years old or younger accounted for 53.8 percent of the new cases.

Oakland County Health Division continues to offer first, second, third, and booster doses at community clinics for COVID-19 vaccine. Click on OaklandCountyVaccine.com for addresses, times, and to schedule an appointment. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for more information. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

The flu vaccine is also available at Oakland County’s indoor community clinics. Individuals who schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment at an indoor clinic will be asked to indicate whether they would like to receive the flu vaccine. Residents may also request it at the time they show up to get their COVID-19 vaccine at an Oakland County indoor clinic. The flu vaccine is unavailable at drive-through clinics.