The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was officially recommended by the CDC last night, but the pharmacy websites I checked then weren’t ready to offer kids’ appointments yet. By the time I woke up this morning, the soonest appointment I could get was for next week. So be advised: They spots are filling up quick.
Even though you may be used to walk-ins for flu shots (and you may have gotten your own COVID vaccine as a walk-in), we’re hearing that you shouldn’t expect to snag one, due to a combination of pharmacy staffing shortages and the demand for both boosters and kids’ vaccines. Your best bet is to book an appointment, and don’t be surprised if the one you get ends up being days or weeks in the future.
Also, be aware that the Pfizer vaccine is the only option for kids under 18 (the CDC has a handy chart here of which age groups can get which vaccine). Those 12 and older get the same shot as adults, but for younger children, the pharmacy or clinic will need to have the pediatric version available. It comes in a different dose and different packaging than the adult Pfizer vaccine.
Because of these factors, not all pharmacies or clinics that offer the COVID vaccine will be able to offer this COVID vaccine. Also, even though the vaccine started shipping out before the recommendation was official, some locations may not have gotten theirs yet. To get the soonest appointment, be flexible about location, and keep checking back if you can’t find one right away.
Here are some of the places that will let you make appointments for 5-to-11-year-olds, as of the time of this writing:
Walgreens (beginning Nov. 6, but you can book now)
Rite-Aid (beginning Nov. 4, but you can book now)
Walmart (no appointments available near me when I looked, but they did allow me into the booking system when I entered my 6-year-old’s birthdate)
We’ll update this list as more providers begin offering appointments.
Other places to check, who may have the vaccine or be planning vaccine clinics soon, include:
Your pediatrician’s office
Your kid’s school or school district
Local children’s hospitals
Community centers
Vaccines.gov has not yet been updated to let you search for the pediatric vaccine, but expect it to be updated soon.
Updated 11/3/2021 at 5 p.m. to include Rite-Aid.