LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages parents to get their children that are ages 5 to 11 vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine. There have been more than 201,000 confirmed COVID cases in those age 19 and younger, and 20 deaths have been reported in ages 10 to 19 as of Nov. 2 in Michigan. More than 450 children under the age of 12 become infected with the virus each day. MDHHS recommends providers to begin vaccinating the children as soon as possible.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, an MDHHS chief medical executive says, “Being able to vaccinate children ages 5 to 11 with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine brings us hope and also an additional opportunity to urge all eligible Michiganders to get vaccinated. We know these vaccines work and protect our children and their families. Even healthy children can suffer serious effects from COVID-19. The vaccines remain our way out of the pandemic, and more than 825,000 more children in our state are now eligible.”

Based on data provided by Pfizer, the vaccine has shown to be nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic disease from COVID-19 in this age group. The pediatric formulation of the vaccine is administered as a series of two doses, 21 days apart, at one-third the amount of the adult dosage.

“It is important to get children ages five and up vaccinated as quickly as possible to save even more lives and reduce serious illness. Getting the safe and effective vaccines are an effort that every eligible Michigander can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, and to help end this pandemic,” said MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel.

1.9 million children ages 5 to 11 nationwide have been infected by COVID-19 and hospitalized 8,300, making it approximately 9% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. overall, and approximately 40% of pediatric cases. About one-third of hospitalized children required treatment in the ICU. 146 children have died, and over 5,000 have developed Multisystem Inflammatory Disorder (MIS-C). Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19. To date, more than 42% of children ages 12 to 15 have received their first dose the safe and effective Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

“Children have struggled tremendously during this pandemic, the COVID vaccine is a game changer for 5 to 11 year olds," said Dr. Matthew Hornik. "Vaccinating the children of Michigan against COVID will make it safer to continue in-person schooling, visit with family members, especially over the holidays, and will allow Michigan kids to resume normal activities they have missed during this pandemic.”

Vaccines will be available immediately beginning Nov. 3, and parents can find a vaccine by visiting Vaccines.gov or by calling 211.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the website below.