COVID-19 Vaccine Q & A
Is Southdale Pediatrics offering COVID vaccine for patients?
Yes, we are offering first and second doses of COVID vaccine for patients ages 6 months – 5 years. First dose appointments may only be scheduled through our patient portal and can also be given when your child is in for a check-up. Each child needs their own appointment scheduled in order to receive the vaccine. A second appointment needs to be scheduled at least four weeks later.
Due to staffing and supply constraints, we are unable to offer COVID vaccine to patients aged 6 and older.
Does my child need a booster?
COVID boosters are recommended for patients ages 12+ who have completed their primary vaccine series or received their last booster at least 8 weeks ago. The current booster for children ages 12+ is bivalent, meaning it protects again two different strains of COVID, including omicron.
COVID boosters are also recommended for patients ages 5-11 who are at least 5+ months out from their primary vaccine series. There is no bivalent vaccine yet for this age group
I can’t find an appointment at Southdale Peds for a COVID vaccine/booster – what should I do?
Try checking these websites for local vaccine availability.
My child tested positive for COVID-19 – When can they be vaccinated?
Children who have had COVID infection in the past can receive their COVID vaccine if they are 10 days past their positive test results or the start of their symptoms. Children who have had COVID and received monoclonal antibody treatment need to wait 90 days to receive the vaccine.
My child has an illness or an exposure to COVID – When can they be vaccinated?
If a child has an exposure to COVID, they can receive their vaccine as long as they are at least 7 days out from the exposure and have a negative PCR between days 3-5.
If your child has a minor illness with only ONE minor symptoms of COVID they can receive the vaccine at any time. If a child has ONE major or TWO minor symptoms, the child should have a negative PCR test and be feeling better prior to vaccination.
Minor Symptoms: Congestion/runny nose, headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, muscle/body aches, fatigue.
Major Symptoms: Fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste.
My child turns 12 in between dose 1 and 2 – what now?
If a child turns 12 between dose 1 and 2, they should receive the dose for those 12+ for their second dose in the primary series.
Do your physicians recommend COVID-19 vaccines for children?
Southdale Ped’s physician viewpoint on the COVID vaccine for children