NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Metro Public Health Department will begin administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11 on Monday.
The update comes after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on a recommendation for an emergency use authorization for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children in that age group.
WHERE TO GET A VACCINE IN NASHVILLE
Metro said the vaccine will be offered at its two drive-thru locations. It will also be available at the health department’s community pop-up vaccination clinics next week. You can also check with your pediatrician, nearby pharmacies, grocery locations and walk-in clinics. Click here to find a location near you.
Metro Nashville Public Schools will also provide free, drive-thru vaccine clinics so kids 5-11 can get their first dose — and their follow-up dose — at these locations:
Monday, November 8, and November 29
- Maplewood High, 401 Walton Ln, Nashville, TN 37216
- Cane Ridge High, 12848 Old Hickory Blvd, Antioch, TN 37013
Wednesday, November 10, and December 1
- McGavock High, 3150 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214
- Hillsboro High, 3812 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215
Friday, November 12, and December 3
- Pearl-Cohn High, 904 26th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
- Glencliff High, 160 Antioch Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Monday, November 15, and December 6
- Hunters Lane High, 1150 Hunters Ln, Nashville, TN 37207
- John Overton High, 4820 Franklin Rd, Nashville, TN 37220
Wednesday, November 17, and December 8
- Stratford Stem High, 1800 Stratford Ave, Nashville, TN 37216
- Antioch High, 1900 Hobson Pike, Antioch, TN 37013
Friday, November 19, and December 10
- Whites Creek High, 7277 Old Hickory Blvd, Whites Creek, TN 37189
- Hillwood High, 400 Davidson Rd, Nashville, TN 37205
MNPS officials said parents or guardians with the authority to make healthcare decisions must be present for the child to receive the vaccine to "ensure proper parental decision-making authority and to assist with the child during the administration of the vaccine."
The district said vaccines will also be available for students ages 12-17 who haven’t yet received it, and there will be Pfizer booster shots available for adults 18 and older who are eligible.
According to Metro Public Health, the vaccine for younger children contains one-third the amount of active ingredient used in the vaccine for those 12 years old and up. Children would receive a second dose 21 days or more after their first shot.
Health officials said the vaccine also differs from the existing formulation that teens and adults have been getting in that it can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 10 weeks — which makes it easier for private medical offices and other locations to keep and administer the vaccine.
The Tennessee Department of Health said the state has been allocated 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children in this age group. For information on where to find a vaccine outside of Davidson County, click here.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 14-0 Tuesday to allow a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to children.
The Pfizer vaccine has already been fully approved for people aged 16 and up and is available for adolescents aged 12 to 15 under emergency use authorization.
*The Scripps National Team contributed to this report.
