By Tim Mastro

DOVER — Delaware’s vaccine providers can begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine to children ages 5-11, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced Wednesday.

The announcement came after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its approval to expand emergency use authorization to allow for the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to children in this age group last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met Tuesday and agreed with the FDA findings. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky endorsed the advisory committee’s recommendations later that evening.

The vaccine was found to be 91% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in nationwide clinical trials, which involved more than 3,000 children ages 5-11.

Dr. Erin Fletcher, a pediatrician at Beacon Pediatrics in Rehoboth Beach, said studies have shown side effects have been similar to the older 12-18 age group with the most common being injection site pain, but also including fatigue, headache and muscles aches. These side effects are usually resolved in less than two or three days.

The Pfizer vaccine dose for 5- to 11-year-olds has been reduced to one-third of the adult dose. Like the adult dose, it requires two doses administered three weeks apart. DPH added no severe vaccine-related side effects such as myocarditis or severe allergic reactions were identified during clinical trials.

Written parental consent is required for individuals younger than 18, but either a parent or other adult may attend with the child.

Dr. Fletcher said she recommends parents contact their pediatricians for further discussion and to see if their offices will be administering the vaccine.

“I think it’s reasonable to be worried about any medical intervention that you’re entering into with your child, giving them any medication or any vaccine,” Dr. Fletcher said. “In a situation like this, you want to weigh the risk and the benefits. I see the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus, the risk of severe illness, hospitalization or long-term complications, as far greater than the risk of getting the vaccine. While the COVID vaccine is relatively new, the science behind the mRNA vaccines has been around and tested for years. Other benefits of getting your child vaccinated include reducing community spread and decreasing disruptions to in-person learning, by eliminating the need to quarantine if exposed to COVID but not symptomatic.”

DPH said there will be adequate supply of vaccine to accommodate the approximately 77,500 children in this age group in Delaware.

Dr. Fletcher said her office has already begun taking vaccination appointments. She said she expects to receive the 5- to 11-year-old Pfizer doses later in the week.

DPH encouraged parents or guardians to first contact their child’s pediatrician to see if they are administering the vaccine.

“This is very exciting news for Delaware in the ongoing fight against COVID,” said DPH director Dr. Karyl Rattay in a statement. “We have been waiting for the day when we could give our younger school-aged children this very effective layer of protection and let them get back to a more normal childhood. Parents are naturally going to be concerned about rare adverse reactions. What we know is the benefits far outweigh the extremely rare chance of a bad reaction. If my children were in this age group, I would absolutely vaccinate them right away.”

Vaccines will also be available at federally qualified health centers (for patients) and four standing DPH vaccine sites:

• Blue Hen Corporate Center: 655 S. Bay Road, Dover

• Georgetown Plaza: 19 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown

• Canby Park: 1920 Maryland Ave., Wilmington

• University Plaza, 256 Chapman Road, Suite 100, Newark

Additionally, vaccines will be available to patients of pediatric health care providers and a limited number of large chain pharmacies initially until vaccine supply opens up. DPH recommended parents check pharmacy websites for scheduling options and availability before going.

Through a spokesperson, Beebe Healthcare also released a statement regarding vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds.

“Beebe encourages parents to speak with the child’s pediatrician or their Beebe provider to discuss vaccination options for those in this age range,” it read. “The state is providing educational resources and data that shows the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for children.”

For a complete list of vaccine locations, visit here. More information is available here.