WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Para una versión en español, haga clic aquí.
Iowa health officials can now vaccinate kids ages 5 to 11 against COVID-19 following the CDC's final approval Tuesday.
The Iowa Department of Public Health estimates approximately 284,000 Iowans fall into this age group. The state's initial shipment of children's doses is 99,000, which should all arrive by Thursday.
The vaccines will go to county health departments and other local vaccine providers for administration. Pediatricians, rural health care centers, pharmacies and family medical clinics will all be points of care for the vaccine administration.
“There are children in the second grade who have never experienced a normal school year,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday. “Pediatric vaccination has the power to help us change all of that.”
The COVID vaccine is free of charge, and health insurance is not required.
Find a child COVID vaccine appointment from the list of providers below
Dallas County
Sumpter Pharmacy in Adel told Local 5 they will be opening appointments for kids 5-11 on their website once available.
"The Dallas County Health Department advises that parents/guardians schedule appointments for their children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine with their pediatrician, family physician, or local pharmacist," the county said in an email. "Vaccine shipments are scheduled to arrive later this week."
More vaccine providers can be found by clicking here.
Polk County
Polk County Health Department starts children vaccinations on Thursday. You can register for an appointment here.
Polk County vaccine appointment dates (NOTE: Some dates may have limited availability, or ask you to check back again later):
Story County
Appointments at Mary Greeley Medical Center can be scheduled here.
"Story County Public Health is also doing vaccine clinics at area schools," the agency told Local 5. "We encourage people to check with their school to see if a clinic has been scheduled, or to check with local pharmacies."
Click here to schedule an appointment at the McFarland Clinic. This clinic has locations across central Iowa, including Ames, Carroll and Jefferson.
Wayne County
Webster County
The Webster County Health Department will host a drive-thru clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 3:30-6:30 pm at Iowa Central Community College's East Campus (2031 Quail Ave).
The drive-thru clinic is for children 5-18 years old, and kids getting vaccinated must wait 15 minutes before leaving.
Children ages 5-18 are eligible to attend and will receive a Pfizer dose, and all children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call 515-573-4107 between 8:30 and 4:30 p.m.
CVS
CVS is offering kids vaccines starting Sunday, Nov. 7.
Click here to schedule an appointment with CVS.
Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee announced Wednesday they will be offering a limited supply of free COVID-19 vaccine shots for children between the ages of 5-11. But those shots will only be available by appointment for now.
Hy-Vee spokeswoman Christina Gayman told Local 5 supply is extremely limited for now, adding the company expects to start receiving doses in metro Des Moines by Thursday.
Walgreens
Walgreens will begin vaccinating children on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Click here to schedule an appointment with Walgreens.
Walmart/Sam's Club
Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies will begin offering kids' COVID-19 vaccines "starting later this week," according to a online post by Lisa Smith, Walmart's Sr. Director of Clinical Strategy and Operations.
Smith said that the pediatric vaccine will be available in more than 5,100 pharmacies, though supply may be limited initially.
Parents and guardians can use Walmart’s online appointment scheduler to find an available Pfizer vaccine in their communities. Once you filter by age, the tool will show locations administering the kids' Pfizer vaccine in your neighborhood.
Walk-ins will be accepted, based on availability, according to Smith's post.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine at a Walmart or Sam's Club, visit Walmart.com/covidvaccine or samsclub.com/pharmacy/immunizations.
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