• By Todd Luck
• Posted Thursday, November 4, 2021

Appointments will be available for COVID vaccination for 5-11 year-olds

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health, and the Forsyth County Department of Public Health will soon be taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations with the Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds.

Studies have shown that the vaccine is safe and effective for that age group. The vaccine has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It’s one-third the dose given to ages 12 and up. Just like with the adult version, it’s a two-dose vaccine, given at least 21 days apart, and children are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose. The possible side effects are also very similar to those of other age groups and include a local reaction at the injection site, soreness, redness, fatigue, fever or chills.

Novant Health

Novant Health vaccination appointments will become available for scheduling on Nov. 4 at 8 a.m. Appointments are required and availability may vary due to initial supply and demand.

In the greater Winston-Salem market, patients can schedule an appointment at Novant Health Medical Group – Hanes, located at 196 Hanes Mall Circle, Winston-Salem, NC. This mass vaccination location is open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Select Novant Health pediatric and family medicine clinics will also offer appointments.

Anyone can schedule an appointment through their MyChart account, or at GetVaccinated.org. Established patients can make an appointment at their primary care clinic, if it is available there, or at the Hanes Mall location.

Brenner Children’s and Wake Forest Baptist

Brenner Children’s and Wake Forest Baptist have begun offering the vaccine to children at the health system’s Downtown Health Plaza. Appointments will be available beginning the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 4 at a number of pediatric primary care clinics in Forsyth County and throughout the region.

A list of locations, vaccine type and age availability can be found at www.wakehealth.edu/vaccine. Appointments are required and can be scheduled online through myWakeHealth or by calling 336-70-COVID (336-702-6843).

People who wish to receive the vaccine do not need to be patients but appointments are required. Parents or guardians must accompany children to the appointment to provide written consent.

Forsyth County Public Health

Vaccinations start on Nov. 6 at the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, 799 N. Highland Ave. Appointments can be scheduled beginning Friday, Nov. 5, at approximately 5.p.m. by going online at Bit.Ly/FCNCCovidVaccine or by calling 336-582-0800 from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Mon-Fri.

Vaccination clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m-12 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 20, appointments will be available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will also be vaccination events in partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, which will inform parents on how to make appointments for those events.