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Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine now available for kids in Milwaukee

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages five to 11 at Milwaukee Health Department health centers starting Thursday.

By: Taylor Lumpkin , Katie Crowther , TMJ4 Web Staff

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MILWAUKEE — The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages five to 11 at Milwaukee Health Department health centers starting Thursday.

Children who receive their vaccine at these sites will be given a free ticket to the Milwaukee County Zoo while supplies last.

“This is another stride forward in our work to rid our community of COVID-19. Vaccination is the best way we can protect ourselves, our families, and our community,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “I encourage every parent of an eligible child to seek good information, talk to medical professionals, and make good decisions about vaccinations.”

All children under the age of 18 will require parent or guardian permission to receive the vaccine.

kids vaccines — Sage Specialty Pharmacy received 300 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Thursday morning, and started vaccinating kids by 3 p.m.

Sage Specialty Pharmacy received 300 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Thursday morning, and started vaccinating kids by 3 p.m.

Sage plans to vaccinate 30 to 50 kids per day, first working through its wait list.

We talked to some of the parents on that wait list, who got calls that they could bring in their kids.

“We have honestly not taken our little ones to a lot of places this year, so I’m really just so happy for this moment,” said Amy Farkas, who brought her five-year-old to get vaccinated. “It’s emotional for me. We’ve been waiting for this.”

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine now available for kids in Milwaukee

“I got the call a few hours ago saying they have a spot,” said Meredith Marine. “I was in the middle of getting my hair done, and I just said yes I will make sure we are there. We would not miss the chance. We have a flight booked for Christmas, so this means we can all feel a little safer about it.”

This comes a year after adults first became eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Our children have shown incredible resilience throughout the pandemic, and it’s time we reward them for their perseverance by getting them vaccinated,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “Vaccines remain our most effective tool against COVID-19, and I strongly urge all parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Johnson's five-year-old daughter and six-year-old son were among the children getting vaccinated Thursday.

"I want to be an example to our community, to the city of Milwaukee, and certainly to everyone who has small children," said Johnson.

Children ages five to 11-years-old will receive one-third of the adult dose of and a second dose three weeks after the first shot. Health officials say smaller needles are used to administer vaccines to this age demographic.

Health officials say 19.7% of total confirmed cases of COVID-19 are within children under the age of 12.

Covid-19 really did upend childhood for many kids. The virus kept them from attending school like normal for a long time, and from enjoying play dates and vacations.

“I’m excited to do more,” said eight-year-old Dominic Biancuzzo. “It didn’t really hurt.”

“It’s not that bad at all and it was over in two seconds,” said 10-year-old Gabriella Biancuzzo. “I’m really happy, because once I get the second dose, I don’t have to wear a mask in some places. Also, unlike last year for Thanksgiving and Christmas when we had to get tested for Covid-19 to go to my grandparent’s house, this year we don’t, and can get together with the whole group of family.”

Some other pharmacies already offering the vaccine for kids, are Hayat Pharmacy on Layton and Infinity Pharmacy on South 60th Street. Many others, including many doctors' offices and clinics, are waiting until Monday to start vaccinating children.

Milwaukee dad of two, Christopher Fons, said he can now sleep a little easier at night knowing his daughters, seven-year-old Rosa and 11-year-old Olivia, are finally vaccinated. Fons took his two girls Thursday to the Southside Health Center.

"We don't want them to spread it and we don't want them to get sick," said Fons.

"It felt fine, just at first the stab kind of hurt but then the rest was fine," said Rosa.

"We found out that they had it here and so we decided to get it," said Olivia.

The Milwaukee Health Department will partner with Milwaukee Public Schools, Seton Catholic Schools, and Children’s Wisconsin to vaccinate Milwaukee-area children beginning Monday. The 22 community clinics will focus on vaccinating children in the age demographic, but also offer first, second, and booster doses of the vaccine for any eligible individual without an appointment.

“Vaccination truly is a community effort,” said Johnson. “We are grateful for organizations and community advocates like Milwaukee Public Schools, Seton Catholic Schools, and Children’s Wisconsin and their continued partnership and commitment to keeping our community and children healthy and protected against COVID-19.”

Officials also say there will be one to two clinics per day from Monday through Nov. 23. Beginning Nov. 29, the same cycle of 22 schools will repeat to administer second doses. Officials say all second dose clinics will finish on Dec. 14. The schedule allows ten days after the second dose prior to the Christmas holiday and two weeks before the New Year's holiday so children can reach their full immune response.

“Milwaukee Public Schools has worked diligently to provide eligible students and staff access to the vaccinations that will protect our community from the dangers of COVID-19,” said Dr. Keith Posley, Superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools. “The Milwaukee Health Department has been instrumental in providing these services and we are elated to continue this partnership as more of our young people become eligible for the vaccine. We will continue to work with MHD and all of our partners to support making vaccines accessible and available to our students and staff.”