Sanford Health Offering COVID-19 Vaccine For Children Ages 6 Months And Older

Starting today, Sanford Health clinics will begin administering Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 6 months to 4 years. This is the final group in the U.S. that has been approved to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are very excited to offer protection from COVID-19 to the youngest children in our communities,” said Danielle Thurtle, MD, a pediatrician at Sanford Health. “With the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine we have a safe and effective means for preventing hospitalizations and even death in young children.”

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the vaccine Saturday, June 18, following a vote by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The authorization gives federal approval for children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine for this age group is a three-dose series. The first two shots are administered three to eight weeks apart and the third is given at least eight weeks after the second dose.

“We have been waiting for this moment for more than two years. We can now offer a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to everyone over 6 months of age. This will not only prevent illness in younger children but decrease spread in communities and protect vulnerable populations as well,” said Dr. Thurtle. “As COVID-19 continues to spread and change, the vaccine is the safest and best option to protect our children and communities from further disruption and illness.  It is important we protect our entire families, including young children.”

Vaccine availability may vary by location. Parents and guardians can begin scheduling their children June 24 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Sanford Health primary care locations. Appointments are preferred and can be made through My Sanford Chart or by calling your preferred Sanford Health clinic.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit sanfordhealth.org and the CDC.

The Sanford Bismarck region provides health care to central and western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota. It includes 21 clinics in Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, Dickinson and Watford City, as well as a Level II trauma center located in Bismarck.