COVID vaccine booster approved for kids. Here’s where to find them in WA

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

The booster shot is available to children five months after completing their primary series of two shots.

The CDC recommendation follows the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency authorization this week for a third shot for younger children, which is equivalent to one-third of the dose given to adults. 

Coronavirus infections are again on the rise, but it’s not clear how much booster demand there will be. As of May 16, 32.4% of children in Washington state in the 5 to 11 age group had received the initial two Pfizer doses since vaccinations opened to them in November, according to data from the state Department of Health. While vaccines may not always prevent milder infections, the CDC cited data during the omicron surge that showed unvaccinated 5- to 11-year-olds had twice the rate of hospitalization as children who completed their initial series.

You can find a vaccination site through DOH’s tool: vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov. It has filters to to search for locations offering a pediatric Pfizer dose.

You can also check the state’s PrepMod tool to find even more vaccination clinics. The site is updated continuously with open clinics and includes details about the types of offered vaccinations at each location.