Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine

Pediatric Pfizer Vaccine (Ages 5-11)

The FDA and CDC have approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. This means our national vaccine safety system has carefully analyzed the data from the clinical trials for this age group and determined that the vaccine is safe and effective. The vaccine will continue to require a two-dose series with the shots given three weeks apart. The vaccine has been formulated for younger children and will be administered at 1/3 the dose previously administered to individuals ages 12 and older. Parents should follow CDC guidelines for their child's current age when booking an appointment and are encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as an appointment is available. The Pfizer vaccine has been found to be safe and effective at both dosages. 

Parents of children ages 5-11 can register for a Pfizer vaccine clinic from the list below or use the State vaccine locator to find other Pfizer vaccine clinics in the area. Please note: the change in dosage requires new vaccine inventory. Supply of the vaccine for young children is currently limited nationwide.

The more people who are vaccinated, the closer we all come to ending this pandemic. Beginning to vaccinate children means a safer experience for in-person school, in-person sports and gatherings with friends and family.

Health Department Pediatric Vaccination Clinics

The Howard County Health Department has opened a new vaccination site, specifically for children ages 5-11, at Duncan Hall on the Howard Community College campus. The Health Department will only administer the pediatric Pfizer vaccine in young children at this clinic site.

To locate Duncan Hall (6040 Scholarship Dr., Columbia, MD 21044), parents should enter campus from Little Patuxent Parkway and park in either Lot A or the East Parking Garage. Handicap Accessible parking is available outside of the building. Click here for a campus map.

Important Information:

• Please be sure your child comes wearing short sleeves for ease of vaccination into upper arm.
• Please DO NOT arrive for a clinic more than 10 minutes early. If you have an appointment, you are guaranteed to receive a vaccination during your designated clinic if you arrive on time.
• Appointments will only be honored for children ages 5-11. Older siblings/parents cannot be vaccinated using the pediatric vaccine formulation stocked at these clinics. Appointments made for individuals not part of this age group will not be honored and will be canceled. 
• Walk-ups will not be accepted. No Exceptions. The Health Department carefully plans its vaccine allocation for each clinic to ensure no leftover doses will go to waste at the end of the day.
• If you are not able to complete the online registration form, please call 410-313-6284. Operators are standing by Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm to provide assistance.
• Vaccine is also available through many County pediatricians, family medical practices, pharmacies, and other retailers. Please contact your child's pediatrician to determine vaccine availability before making an appointment through the Health Department.

Adolescents with disabilities:

Special accommodations can be made for children with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities, including vaccination in the parking lot. Please call the phone bank after booking your appointment or speak to staff on-site at a vaccination clinic to make this request. In-home vaccination is also available for children who are homebound due to a physical/mental impairment or disability. Call us at 410-313-6284 for assistance scheduling their vaccination appointment.

Vaccination Appointments for 5-11-Year-Olds. Click here to make a vaccine appointment for a person 12+. Appointments made for those outside this age range will be canceled.

Our vaccine supply is limited and available appointments are expected to fill quickly. The Health Department will open additional clinics when more vaccine doses are received in the coming days.