Louisiana Department of Health Issue Recommendation on COVID Vaccine for Children Ages 6 Months and Up

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Published June 21, 2022

Louisiana Department of Health Issue Recommendation on COVID Vaccine for Children Ages 6 Months and Up

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced on June 20, 2022, that all Louisiana children aged 6 months and up are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, following the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accepting the recommendation of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the three-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the two-dose Moderna vaccine.

To protect themselves and their families, the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health recommend that all eligible children receive the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe for children as young as six months old and to help protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes such as certain heart conditions, long-term complications, hospitalization, and death.

As the number of positive COVID-19 infections in Louisiana continues to rise, it is critical that all eligible Louisiana residents receive the COVID-19 vaccine. LDH reports that 21 children in Louisiana have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, all of whom were not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

According to the LDH, COVID-19 can lead to serious complications in some children, including over 300 Louisiana children who have been diagnosed with the potentially fatal condition multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Vaccinating your children reduces their chances of developing severe COVID-19 complications. Keeping up with vaccinations is critical to keeping our families safe and enjoying summer with confidence.

“The COVID-19 vaccines have saved thousands of lives in Louisiana. Many parents are eager to extend this protection to their younger children and we are pleased they now have the opportunity to do so,” said LDH State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. “With the addition of this younger age group, we recommend everyone in the family ages 6 months and up receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Studies have shown vaccination confers additional protection even for those who have previously been infected. While most children experience only mild symptoms from COVID-19, unfortunately some do get quite ill. As it has for adults and older children, vaccination of younger children will save lives.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has notified all providers that this guidance is now in effect. The delivery of pediatric vaccines to this newly eligible group will begin the week of June 20, 2022.

On its website, LDH has published a list of all providers who have ordered initial allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of five: ldh.la.gov/kidsvax

The following is the dosing schedule for each vaccine:

  • The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a primary series of two doses, one month apart.
  • The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a primary series of three doses, in which the initial two doses are administered three weeks apart, followed by a third dose, administered at least eight weeks after the second dose.

 

Answers to where and how Louisiana parents and guardians can get their child vaccinated?

LDH advises parents and caregivers to contact their child’s pediatrician to find out if the COVID-19 vaccine is available and to make a plan. Alternatively, click here to locate a provider near you, then call or visit their website to schedule an appointment. To get the shot, a person under the age of 18 must have parental/caregiver consent. LDH has created a consent form, which is available on its website at ldh.la.gov/Covid-19K-12.

Families can also dial 1-855-453-0774 to speak with a medical professional, locate a nearby vaccine provider, and schedule an appointment.

FAQ about the COVID-19 vaccine for children with answers from LDH:

Q: What is the risk of COVID-19 to children?

A: COVID-19 cases in children can result in hospitalization, death, and other complications.

Since March 2020, Louisiana has tragically lost 21 children to COVID-19, all of whom were not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, LDH has confirmed 331 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) – a serious condition associated with COVID-19 in which different parts of the body become inflamed.

Q: Why should you consider getting your child vaccinated?

A: The CDC, and Louisiana Department of Health recommend that all eligible children receive the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and minimize harmful effects of COVID-19.

With COVID-19 levels still high in Louisiana, vaccination against COVID-19:

  • Strengthens your child’s immune system
  • Helps prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms
  • Reduces the likelihood of them developing conditions or experiencing complications from COVID-19
  • Staying up-to-date on our COVID-19 vaccinations is key to keeping our families safe and enjoying summer with confidence.