COVID-19 vaccines for children now available at some local pharmacies

SEATTLE — Starting Friday, parents can book appointments at some local pharmacies.

Children as young as five are eligible to get their first shot.

Washington families can use the vaccines.gov website to find out where younger children can go to get COVID-19 shots.

A search around the greater Seattle area showed Walgreens and CVS pharmacies had appointments available. Sea Mar Community Health Clinics in Bellevue, Des Moines, Kent, Seattle and White Center also had open appointments.

KIRO 7 brought some questions to the U.S. Surgeon General, who’s considered to be the nation’s top doctor.

Dr. Vivek Murthy said that by next week, the vaccine should be available in 20,000 locations.

He said the Pfizer vaccine was carefully reviewed for children ages 5 to 11 and it’s 90% effective.

“If you’re a parent out there and you have questions that’s OK. You want to get answers to those questions. I just want to make sure parents get information from credible, scientific sources,” said Murthy. “I’ve got a 5-year-old son at home and I can’t wait to get him vaccinated.”

Murthy also said any side effects experienced such as fever, fatigue and headache are mild.

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