County-run vaccination clinics in Contra Costa are now offering safe and effective COVID vaccines to children ages 6 months to 4 years old.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recently authorized pediatric versions of Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines for this age group. Previously, only children ages 5+ and adults were eligible to receive COVID vaccinations.
The pediatric COVID vaccines come in smaller doses than the adult vaccines. Pfizer's vaccine for this age group is a three-dose series – the first two doses are spaced three weeks apart and the third dose is given eight weeks after that. Moderna offers a two-dose series with each shot given one month apart.
Vaccines are our best defense against severe disease from COVID. While kids tend to get less sick from COVID-19 than adults, they can still get seriously ill from the virus, said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, health officer for the county.
"COVID is now one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States," Dr. Tzvieli said. "Vaccination is the best way to reduce health risks to kids."
An estimated 60,000 county residents are in the newly eligible age group. Parents and guardians can schedule vaccination appointments at county-run vaccination sites (see locations and hours below) or with their children's regular healthcare provider. Children must have consent from a parent or adult guardian to receive the vaccine.
Contra Costa Health is also planning a series of mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with local child-development organizations in the coming weeks. We will provide more details about those mobile clinics at a later date.
For more information, visit our Vaccine for Kids webpage.
County Vaccine Sites & Hours
Antioch
Nick Rodriguez Community Center
213 F St.
Antioch, CA 94509
Hours: Tue - Sat: 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Schedule an Appointment
Concord
1034 Oak Grove Rd.
Concord, CA 94518
Hours: Tues: 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wed – Sat: 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Schedule an Appointment
Richmond
Richmond Memorial Auditorium (side entrance)
403 Civic Center Plz
Richmond, CA 94804
Hours: Tue - Sat: 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Schedule an Appointment
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