Looking for the kids COVID-19 vaccine? Here’s where you can get one in Tarrant County
Kids between the ages of 5-11 are now able to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and providers in Fort Worth and Tarrant County started receiving their first shipment of the vaccines Tuesday.
Health experts and pediatricians alike have said that vaccinated young children is a key step in both protecting kids from a SARS-CoV-2 infection, and any long term effects that infection might cause, as well as curbing the pandemic as a whole. More than 70,000 Texans have died from COVID-19 as of Wednesday.
COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone, regardless of immigration status or whether a person has health insurance or not.
Many places that currently offer COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers and adults will also provide vaccines for younger children, although supply may be limited initially.
Tarrant County Public Health recommends to contact first the child’s pediatrician or a local pharmacy to see if they are distributing vaccines.
Dr. Steven Levy, a Fort Worth pediatrician, said his clinic received Thursday morning 600 doses of the vaccine - enough to vaccinate 300 kids. Levy said he hopes to begin vaccinating his patients by Friday.
“We’ve been promoting this for a long time, you know, at least since September,” Levy said. “My patients know that once they hear about in the news media to call and make an appointment, they’ll get it immediately.”
Vinny Taneja, the director of Tarrant County Public Health, urged families not to wait to get their children vaccinated.
“The young kids have had a tough school year with COVID,” Taneja said. “We’re heading into the holidays. Let’s get your kids protected so that we can enjoy our holiday. Grandma and Grandpa need to see their grandkids, so let’s get all of them vaccinated so we can get back to normal and enjoy our family life together.”
If you want to get a vaccine from your pediatrician’s office:
If you need to get your child vaccinated against COVID-19, your pediatrician’s office is a great place to start. Because children are already familiar with their pediatrician’s office, going there can be less intimidating if your child is nervous about needles, and means your child’s medical records will be accessible in one location. Start by calling your child’s doctor to ask if they are providing the COVID-19 vaccine and, if not, where they recommend getting a vaccine. We’ve listed the details for some large medical providers in the county.
Cook Children’s Medical Center: Cook Children’s will soon announce the details of vaccination clinics available for Cook Children’s patients with a MyCookChildren’s account. Patient families will be contacted via email.
Vaccines are available at multiple locations within the JPS Health Network. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 817-702-1100, option 7 or via MyChart. The JPS locations providing the pediatric vaccines are: Pediatric clinic; Medical Home Southeast Tarrant; Medical Home Northeast Tarrant; Viola Pitts-Como Health Center; Stop Six-Walter B. Barbour Health Center; Diamond Hill Health Center; Family Health Center.
Pediatric vaccines will be available at two upcoming clinics hosted by the North Texas Area Community Health Centers. Vaccines will be available on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at 2332 Beverly Hills Dr. You don’t need to be a patient at the clinic, but organizers do recommend making an appointment online or by calling 817-625-4254. There is also a clinic scheduled for Dec. 4 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
If you want to get a vaccine from a pharmacy:
CVS Pharmacy: Multiple CVS Pharmacy locations in Tarrant County are offering the pediatric COVID vaccine. To schedule an appointment, visit cvs.com/covid/vaccine.
Walgreens: Walgreens locations throughout the U.S. will begin vaccinating kids in the 5-11 group starting Saturday. You can schedule appointments online by visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine.
Walmart and Sam’s Club: Walmart and Sam’s Club will begin vaccinating kids against COVID-19 as supplies allows. You can make an appointment online at Walmart.com/covidvaccine or samsclub.com/pharmacy. You can also walk in to a pharmacy, although not all pharmacies may have the pediatric supply in stock immediately.
Other providers:
Fort Worth ISD and the city of Fort Worth are offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at drive thru clinic at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, 5201 C. A. Robertson Blvd., 76119. The clinic is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The clinic has extended hours Tuesdays and Thursdays, and is open from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. No appointment is required. Vaccines for teenagers and adults are also available, as are booster doses, for those who qualify. Adults can stay in their car during the vaccination process, but children in the 5-11 age group can go inside for their vaccine.
Do you know another provider offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines? Let us know and we’ll update this list. Email cmccarthy@star-telegram.com, or call or text 817-203-4391.
Have questions about the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine? Send them to cmccarthy@star-telegram.com or call or text 817-203-4391 and we’ll ask vaccine experts, pediatricians, and public health officials to answer them.
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 5:30 AM.
