Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Jan. 11 a new campaign to increase vaccination rates among children five and older—urging pediatricians, parents and guardians to help children get vaccinated and keep up with all recommended COVID-19 vaccinedoses.
“The best protection for our kids is to ensure they get vaccinated and keep up with all recommended vaccine doses,” Hochul said. “As COVID-19 continues
to spread, the best armor for our children is the vaccine. It’s safe, effective, free, and over a half million children in New York between 5-11 years old have already gotten their first dose so far. With the #VaxForKids campaign, we are doubling down on our efforts to get this critical message out to even more parents and guardians.”
The multifaceted #VaxForKids effort includes new marketing efforts to reach parents and guardians in English and Spanish. This includes advertising on television, radio and digital—including search and streaming. As part of the program, a new PSA featuring Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett will launch statewide with a focus on reaching parents and guardians of children 5-11. Additional PSAs will be launched over the coming weeks.
“Since the emergence of the Omicron variant, COVID-19 cases and even hospitalizations are rising among children,” said Bassett. “There has never been a more
important time for pediatricians, parents, and guardians to ensure children five and older get vaccinated and stay up-to-date with all recommended doses. Vaccines have been the backbone of pediatric care for decades, protecting our children against countless diseases. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. I urge New Yorkers to make sure their children get fully vaccinated—and their third dose when eligible—so they have meaningful and continued protection
against the virus.”
To date, more than 1.5 million children 5-17 have been vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Jan. 10, 32.2% of children 5-11 and 73.4% of adolescents
12-17 have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 21.6% of children 5-11 and 65.4% of adolescents 12-17 have completed their initial vaccine
series.
To accompany the communications program, new #VaxForKids pop-up sites will be established in communities statewide to administer first and second doses for children five and older as well as booster and additional doses for eligible children and adolescents. Locations and dates will be announced soon. Already, the state has established a dedicated hub so parents and guardians have information, resources and FAQs on the vaccine and children specifically.
The Department of Health continues to actively communicate and provide guidance to pediatric providers on-the-ground and in every region across the state.
Children five and older are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As of Jan. 7, adolescents 12 and older are eligible for a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least five months after completing their initial vaccine series. Additionally, children 5-11 with certain immunocompromising
conditions are now eligible for an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 28 days after completing their initial vaccine series.
(Submitted)
