State launches mobile vaccine clinics this week for kids under 5 years old

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO)- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has officially launched COVID-19 vaccine mobile clinics for kids under five years old at Children's Hospital Colorado locations across the state.

This is the state's latest effort to ensure kids as young as six months have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Saturday, June 25, Children's Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs will host its first vaccine clinic for kids under five years old.

Heather Roth, Immunization Branch Chief at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, says their mobile clinics are booked with about 300 appointments at each of their locations already.

"We've done a lot of work up to this point even before the vaccine was authorized and approved at the age of six months - we have 1,000 different vaccine providers that can engage in vaccinating children."

Across the state 270  providers placed orders for both pediatric Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, that's 68,000 thousand doses coming into the state within the first 10 days of the rollout.

"That's about 44,800 doses of Pfizer and 23,000 doses of Moderna--COVID can be pretty severe even for children, children have ended up in the hospital and have died from COVID as well this is an entirely preventable disease, and parents have the option to protect children through vaccination," added Roth.

• The Pfizer vaccine is three doses and covers kids from 6 months to 4 years old.
• The Moderna vaccine is two doses and can cover kids up to five.

For parents thinking about getting their child vaccinated, the state says the time is now.

"Really kind of urgent now, if kids start in the summer, finish their vaccine series over the summer then they will have enough time to mount their maximum protection before school starts in the fall," said Roth.

No insurance or identification forms are required for the clinics. Health experts say this is also a time to get your kids vaccinated for other routine illnesses.

Parents can request a vaccine now at Children's Hospital Colorado, but the mobile vaccine clinic will be on Saturday, June 25 starting at 10 a.m.

Appointments are encouraged.

El Paso County Public Health is also offering those vaccines for kids starting today at their Garden of the Gods location this week, more information can be found on their website.

• June 24, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., El Paso County Public Health, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Moderna COVID Vaccine (6 months to 5 years). Register here.
• June 28, 8 a.m. -11:30 a.m., El Paso County Public Health, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Moderna COVID Vaccine (6 months to 5 years), Register here.
• June 28, 12:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., El Paso County Public Health, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Moderna COVID Vaccine (6 months to 5 years). Register here. 
• June 29, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., El Paso County Public Health, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Moderna COVID Vaccine (6 months to 5 years). Register here. 
• June 29, 12:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., El Paso County Public Health, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Moderna COVID Vaccine (6 months to 5 years), Register here.
• June 30, from 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., El Paso County Public Health, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Moderna COVID Vaccine (6 months to 5 years). Register here.