Children ages 5-11 can receive free Pfizer vaccinations in Hillsborough and Pinellas County this week.
The Centers for Disease Control has approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children, and the Departments of Health in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties are making moves to have the shot free and readily accessible, according to press releases sent out today.
Hillsborough will begin distributing the vaccines immediately at Progress Village Park, located at 8701 Progress Blvd. The site is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, including Veteran’s Day.
Pinellas will begin providing the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines on Friday at its clinics in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Clearwater and Mid-County. For specific addresses, look below and visit DOH-Pinellas’ website.
Parents or guardians must accompany children to the appointments. Walk-in services are provided in both Hillsborough and Pinellas. If you prefer an appointment, Pinellas, appointments can also be arranged by phone at (727) 824-6931. In Hillsborough, appointments can be made at patientportalfl.com or at (844) 770-8548.
Hillsborough child COVID-19 vaccination sites
- Progress Village Park 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa
Pinellas child COVID-19 vaccination sites
- Clearwater Health Department 310 N. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater
- Largo Health Department 12420 130th Ave. N, Largo (no clinic services provided at this location)
- Mid-County Health Department 8751 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
- Pinellas Park Health Department 6350 76th Ave. N, Pinellas Park
- Tarpon Springs Center 301 S. Disston Ave., Tarpon Springs
- St. Petersburg Health Department 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for those ages 5 and up are also offered at many clinic and pharmacy locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and throughout Florida. Visit vaccines.gov to find sites offering the vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccines for children are administered on the same schedule as those for adolescents and adults with the second dose 21 days after the first. Previously, Pfizer vaccines had been approved for minors starting age 12 and older. Approvals for non-Pfizer vaccines have not yet come from the CDC.
Parents and guardians should check with their child's doctor for recommendations and more information about vaccine schedules that include the seasonal flu, COVID-19 and other immunizations for good health.
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This article appears in Nov 18-24, 2021.