Where can my kids get their COVID-19 shots in Northeast Ohio?

  Updated: 11:25 a.m., Monday, Nov. 8, 2021

The  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5 to 11, so where can they get their shot?

Ohio is expected to receive more than 367,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, according to the Ohio Department of Health. A large portion of that expected shipment is already available.

University Hospitals is allowing families to call and make an appointment, and UH practices will begin administering the vaccine to kids 5-11 Thursday, according to a UH spokeswoman. 

UH pediatricians’ offices will offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Cleveland Clinic is also scheduling the COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5 and older, and some pediatricians are prepared to give the vaccine at already scheduled appointments Wednesday, a spokeswoman said. 

Pediatric appointments at the clinic may be limited at this time, she said. To schedule a vaccine appointment at the clinic, go to your MyChart or call 216.448.4117. Cleveland Clinic schedulers are available Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MetroHealth is not currently scheduling vaccine appointments, but they are planning a mass pediatric vaccination clinic later this month. Details of the clinic are still in the works. 

The hospital system also plans to partner with schools to get kids vaccinated. 

Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) is offering vaccine clinics for 5-11 year olds at its location in Mentor. The clinics are appointment only, and no walk-ups will be accepted. 

Parents can call to schedule an appointment at 440-350-2188, or schedule an appointment on ArmorVax.

Some retail pharmacies in Northeast Ohio are offering the shot for kids 5 and up as well. 

"The Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine is one-third of the adult dose and will be available at nearly 1,700 CVS Pharmacy locations in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C," a release from CVS Heath said. 

CVS will begin administering the vaccine to children 5-11 on Sunday, November 7. The pharmacies where the vaccine is available are locations with vaccinators on site who are solely focused on administering vaccines, the release said. CVS vaccinators in these locations have also received additional training on managing pediatric vaccinations. 

You can find a pharmacy near you by going to CVS.com.

Walgreens will begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 on Saturday November 6. 

“Walgreens pharmacy team members have significant experience vaccinating children and adolescents, and are ready to immunize this newly eligible population safely and as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Kevin Ban, chief medical officer of Walgreens, in a press release. “The COVID-19 vaccine is just as important to protect children as other routine immunizations are, and the expanded eligibility will help children stay in school safely and prevent severe illness due to COVID-19.”

Approximately 40 percent of Walgreens stores offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5 to 11 are located in areas with a high Social Vulnerability Index score. Walgreens chose those locations because children who reside in these areas have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the release said. 

"Research suggests COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the health of Black and Hispanic children who often reside in these areas, making this next milestone in vaccinating children critically important," the statement said. 

A parent or guardian must be present with the child and sign a consent form for any COVID-19 vaccination.