Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Pediatricians across Western New York say they are prepared to offer children as young as 5 the COVID vaccine now that the way has been cleared by federal health authorities.
In most cases, you will need to make an appointment.
Dr. Steven Lana at Delaware Pediatrics says he's ready to go. "We have received to date 900 doses. We've scheduled COVID clinics for evenings and weekends, on Saturday, so we are eager to immunize as many children of appropriate age as we can," says Lana. He says parents can have their kids get the vaccine during an already scheduled well visit or make an appointment strictly to get the shot.
Lana says parents have been asking about it before the vaccine became available. "The last several weeks, we've had calls constantly from parents to be on the waiting list. We simply took their names and as soon as the vaccine became available, we would call them and give them an appointment," says Lana. He says there are 150 names on that list.
But Lana says an appointment will be necessary. "We can't accommodate a walk-in. We have to have them scheduled," says Lana.
That will also apply at Kaleida Health's Broadway Pediatrics and Niagara Street Pediatrics. "From a crowd control perspective and to make sure they don't waste any doses, most are scheduling appointments," says Dr. Stephen Turkovich.
Turkovich says Kaleida is partnering with the Erie County Health Department this weekend for a vaccine clinic. It will be Saturday at the lobby of Oishei Children's Hospital. "Here at Oishei our initial shipment was 300 doses. I know pediatrician's offices received shipments. I've seen appointments for this week and next at pharmacies," says Turkovich, who estimates a few thousand doses are available.
Turkovich says he will continue to offer doses for older kids as well as those 5-11.
