Some fear access to pediatric COVID vaccine could depend on where children live
Even though public health officials haven't yet approved any coronavirus vaccine for children younger than 12, area pediatricians and pharmacies say parents are already scrambling to book appointments so their children can get their shots.
Posted — UpdatedWhile officials are committed to reaching every child, some health experts fear that access to the vaccine could be determined by where a child lives. Wake County, for example, has 15 providers to help give shots, while many rural counties have only one or two.
"I think we can definitely do a better job of increasing access," said Ritesh Patel, a pharmacist with Avance Care in Raleigh and Eastern Carolina Medical Center in Johnston County. "Our Medicaid kids and our underserved kids all around the country definitely are the ones that have lots of health disparities."
Patel said the best way to reach everyone is by meeting them where they already are, suggesting schools and churches as locations for vaccination clinics.
"The issue is making sure the parents are there at the same time, more than likely, and things like that, so I think we'll have to work together," he said.
DHHS officials have said they're working on a series of "family vaccination pop-up sites" to offer pediatric vaccines, regular vaccines for those ages 12 and up and booster shots. Those sites are expected to start in a few weeks, but locations haven't yet been announced.
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