More than 1,100 Henrico children vaccinated during first week of eligibility

More than 1,100 Henrico children between the ages of 5 and 11 received their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during the first week of eligibility for that age group, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

A total of 1,128 Henrico children received the vaccine between Nov. 3-10; that’s about 4% of the more than 28,000 children ages 5 to 11 who live in Henrico, according to the data. Statewide, 4.9% of all children 5 to 11 have received their first doses of vaccine so far.

There were limited vaccination appointments available locally last week for children, following the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Nov. 2 authorization of the vaccine for those 5 to 11. Appointments this week have been easier to find locally, as more vaccine doses arrive to pharmacies and pediatricians.

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts also is offering the vaccine for children at its local events but is requiring appointments in advance. The agency will host an event at Fairfield Middle School, 5121 Nine Mile Road, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and plenty of appointments remain. Another vaccination opportunity will take place Nov. 20 at Elko Middle School during the same timeframe. Parents can make appointments for their children at either event by calling (804) 205-3501.

There also are nearly 600 total available appointment slots for children Nov. 11, 12,13 and 15 at the Arthur Ashe Center (where a state community vaccination center has been established), according to the VDH’s Vaccine Appointment Scheduling Engine website.

The RHHD initially is requiring appointments for children in part to ensure their vaccination experiences are smooth and don’t involve periods of waiting.