Walgreens is now offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to children ages 5 to 11, in addition to previously recommended populations, at store locations nationwide. Availability of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to this new population comes after a recent decision by the FDA to expand Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer booster vaccines for children 5 to 11, in addition to new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals can schedule appointments through the Walgreens app, by visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine or by calling 1-800-WALGREENS, with walk-in appointments available as store capacity allows*.
In addition to this new guidance, the CDC is also strengthening its recommendation that those aged 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those aged 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first.
“As COVID-19 cases are on the rise and hospitalizations increase nationally, it is important to stay protected from COVID-19. This new recommendation by the CDC not only expands eligibility to a younger population, but also reinforces the importance of staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, especially for those who are most vulnerable,” said Dr. Kevin Ban, chief medical officer, Walgreens. “If you haven’t had a vaccine dose since the beginning of December 2021 and you’re eligible, now is the time to get one.”
What Parents and Guardians Need to Know:
- Expanded Eligibility: Children ages 5 to 11 years who received a primary COVID-19 vaccine series at least five months prior, and immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 years who received three primary COVID-19 vaccine doses at least three months prior, are now eligible to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.
- Date of birth needed to confirm eligibility. Parents or legal guardians scheduling an appointment will need to enter the birthdate of the child to be vaccinated to ensure they receive the appropriate vaccine. Once confirmed, the scheduler will guide customers to stores where vaccines are available for this age group.
- A parent or guardian must be present. Due to privacy regulations, all children must have a parent or legal guardian schedule an appointment on their behalf using Walgreens guest scheduling capabilities, and a parent or legal guardian must be present at the time of vaccination.
Scheduling an Appointment
For the best experience, individuals are highly encouraged to use the Walgreens app or visit Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine to secure a vaccination appointment in advance. When scheduling an appointment, individuals will be asked to verify eligibility and provide the manufacturer and date of their last COVID-19 vaccine.
Walgreens pharmacy team members have administered approximately 65 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) expanded the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act authorizing licensed pharmacists to administer recommended vaccinations to children ages 3 and older. In that time, Walgreens has extensive experience administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible populations and is the largest pediatric vaccine provider among retail pharmacies.
