Jefferson County Public Health will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to children aged 6 months and older beginning the first week of July, county health officials announced late last week.

“We recommend children get vaccinated against COVID-19 because it reduces their risk of severe disease if they catch the virus,” said Dr. Allison Berry, Health Officer for Jefferson and Clallam counties. 

“Severe disease in children is not common, however it can happen, especially if a child is unvaccinated,” she said.

Parents and guardians may make an appointment for their child by calling 360-385-9400.

The Moderna vaccine will be available for children 6 months to 5 years old. Pfizer will be available to children 5 to 18 years old (vaccinations are available for a first, second, or booster dose).

Health officials noted that side effects of the vaccine are rare among young children, according to clinical trial research. Side effects, if they did occur, were commonly a sore arm or low-grade fever. Health officials said those side effects tended to get better within two days, on their own.