NYC announces COVID vaccination plan for children 6 months and older

NYC prepares to vaccinate young children

Medical offices, pharmacies, and city-run vaccine sites are preparing to administer COVID-19 vaccine shots to children under 5 years of age as soon as the CDC gives the green light.

NEW YORK - New York City could begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children 6 months and older as early as June 22, announced city officials Friday. The vaccination plan is pending final guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Beginning June 21, parents and guardians can use the city’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to find locations across the five boroughs to vaccinate children aged 6 months through, and including, 5 years of age. Ten city vaccine hubs will offer the Moderna vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine will also be available at non-city sites to children 6 months and older.

A CDC advisory committee is scheduled to vote in favor of the vaccine Saturday, giving it the final approval to be rolled out across the country.

FDA panel greenlights COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5

The Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisers gave a thumbs-up to vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for the littlest kids on Wednesday.

"The next step towards a return to normalcy is around the corner for our youngest New Yorkers," said Mayor Eric Adams. "I know how long parents and caretakers of our little ones have been waiting for the moment their youngest would have access to a COVID-19 vaccine, and as soon as that moment comes, I want them to know we will be ready.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that parents reach out to their children’s pediatricians early to see if they will make the COVID-19 vaccine available at their offices.

"We’ve been waiting so long for a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for our babies, and thankfully that time has arrived," Health Commissioner Dr. Vasan said. "While we still await formal federal guidance, we want parents to know that the vaccine is here, it is safe, and it protects against COVID-19 and its most severe complications."

Dr. Juan Tapia Mendoza, a pediatrician at SOMOS Community Care, said his clinic has ordered hundreds of doses. He said he worries some parents will forego getting their youngest children vaccinated.

"Parents are very finicky and have a lot of questions when it comes time to vaccinate their children — they have fears," Tapia-Mendoza said. "Parents must know that kids do get very sick the with coronavirus. During the last omicron surge, we had more hospital visits and more hospitalizations in kids under 5 years of age."

Pediatricians at SOMOS could begin administering shots as early as Wednesday, he said.

Parents can also call 877-VAX-4NYC to make an appointment at one of the city's sites.

The Food and Drug Administration issued emergency authorization Friday for the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months and older.

Pfizer vaccine for children under 5

The FDA announced that three doses of the Pfizer vaccine appear to be safe and effective for children under 5.

Manhattan

Times Square

M-Su

10 AM – 5 PM

NYC Health Dept. – Uptown Clinic (in East Harlem)

M-Sa

9 AM– 5 PM

Queens

Queens Mall

M-Su

9 AM – 6 PM

NYC Health Dept. – Corona Clinic

M-F

9 AM – 5 PM

NYC Vaccine Hub – Long Island City

Th-Su

10 AM – 7 PM

Bronx

NYC Health Dept. – Morrisania Clinic

W-Sa

9 AM – 5 PM

Staten Island

NYC Vaccine Hub – Empire Outlets

M-Su

10 AM – 5 PM

Brooklyn

NYC Vaccine Hub – The Jefferson

Th-Su

10 AM – 7 PM

NYC Vaccine Hub – The Livonia

Th-Su

10 AM – 7 PM

NYC Vaccine Hub – Brooklyn Children's Museum

W-Su

9 AM – 5:30 PM