St. Luke’s Offers Guidance On COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids 5-11

Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has green lighted the COVID-19 for children age 5 to 11 years of age, local area vaccine clinics and health facilities are updating their guidelines and best practices.  St. Luke's has released details about how appointments for kids age 5 to 11 will operate.

According to details released by St. Luke's, "parents can now schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments...for their kids between the ages of to 11 years old".  Those appointments for that age will be first available as of Monday, November 8.  Parents are directed to schedule the vaccine appointment using their proprietary myCare patient portal.  You can also call to schedule an appointment:  218-249-4200.

At the same time, St. Luke's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic continues to offer first, second, third, and booster doses for all people who are eligible.  Complete details are available on their website.  But here's a generalized breakdown:

Initial Vaccine Series:

• The Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for people 18-plus.  Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 Vaccine/COMIRNATY is available for people 5+.  (Those under the age of 18 need parent or guardian authorization)
• Everyone is welcome to make these appointments.  You do not need to be a Minnesota resident or a St. Luke's patient.  All patients under the age of 12 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Patients age 12-18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Or, they can bring a signed Vaccine Form.

Third Dose:

• Third doses are approved for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.  Third doses are to be given 4 weeks or longer after the final dose of the initial series and require a referral; booster doses can be received 6 months after the initial series and do not require a referral.  St. Luke's is offering both the Pfizer and the Moderna third doses.  Patients should bring their vaccine card with them to the appointment.

Booster Shots:

• Booster shots are approved for those who received the Pfizer vaccine, Moderna vaccine, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine - with different recommendations depenidng on which vaccine was given for the initial dos or series.
• For those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:  Booster shots are recommended for those 18 and older who where were vaccinated two or more months ago.

For individuals who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine:  The following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after the initial series -

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have specific underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

All COVID-19 vaccines available through St. Luke's are administered at the Vaccine Clinic location:  at the corner of 9th Avenue East and East 1st Street on St. Luke's main campus in downtown Duluth.