CDC Approves COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5-11

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5-11. As we have throughout the pandemic, KCPS is working with Children’s Mercy Hospital and the the Kansas City Health Department to get our families the most accurate COVID-19 information.

CDC guidance states vaccination is currently the leading public health strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the vaccine for children 5 and older. KCPS strongly recommends eligible students be vaccinated.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine uses mRNA technology. According to the CDC:

The mRNA vaccines do not contain any live virus. Instead, they work by teaching our cells to make a harmless piece of a “spike protein,” which is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. After making the protein piece, cells display it on their surface. Our immune system then recognizes that it does not belong there and responds to get rid of it. When an immune response begins, antibodies are produced, creating the same response that happens in a natural infection.

Your child cannot catch COVID-19 from a vaccine. Sore muscles, redness and fever after a shot are signs the vaccine is working, according to Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Children's Mercy Hospital is currently scheduling vaccine appointments, as are some local pharmacies. Check CVS, Walgreens, HyVee and Price Chopper for availability. It will take time for pharmacies and health departments to receive the lower-dose pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. It’s likely demand for pediatric COVID-19 vaccines will be high for several weeks. KCPS will let you know about pediatric vaccine opportunities through our community health partners.

In the meantime, KCPS will continue to practice COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Free testing is available in all of our schools through Children’s Mercy Hospital or Ginkgo Bioworks. Weekly testing provides peace of mind for teachers and parents. Please contact your child’s school to sign up.

Missouri determines which vaccines students need to attend school. This is a state decision, not a local one. School immunization information is available on the Department of Health and Senior Services website. Missouri does not require COVID-19 vaccines for K-12 students.