RAPID CITY, S.D. — Monument Health will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages five to 11 at clinics in Rapid City, Spearfish, and Custer.
Scott Peterson, Senior Director of Pharmacy for Monument Health, says that the special pediatric doses of Pfizer’s vaccine arrived in Rapid City this week.
As one might expect – the children’s vaccines has its differences from the adult vaccine.
“It’s a third of the adult dose for these kids between the ages of five and 11, and it’s 2/3 of the volume of that,” said Scott Peterson, the Senior Director of Pharmacy for Monument Health “It comes in a different file. The dilution is different. The number of doses per vial are all different as well.”
The news comes after the FDA granted emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine in five- to 11-year-olds last week. The CDC issued it’s recommendation Tuesday that the child-size dose be offered.
In Rapid City, shots are available at the Rushmore Mall vaccination clinic, the Family Medicine Residency Clinic, and Urgent Care on Jackson Boulevard. The Rushmore Mall vaccination clinic is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monument officials hope this will protect the two groups – newborns and those over 80 who have underlying health conditions.
“You can imagine grandfather and grandmother now able to enjoy the family when you have most of them vaccinated and acting as a shield,” said Dr. Shankar Kurra, the Vice President for Medical Affairs for Monument Health.
A special Saturday vaccination clinic is scheduled for Nov. 13 from 7 a.m. to noon., designed to be more convenient for families and school children.
Shots are also available at the Monument Health Custer Clinic and the North Avenue Clinic in Spearfish.
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