ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) — COVID-19 vaccinations for children between the ages of 5 and 11 are being put into arms at Bellin Health’s community clinics in Ashwaubenon, Marinette, and Iron Mountain today.
They’re the first healthcare group in the area to offer the vaccines, which were just approved by federal regulators earlier this week.
Sandra Baumler’s son, Ian, was the first in line before thigns opened up at 7:00 Friday morning.
“As soon as I found out that they were scheduling on Wednesday I was on the phone,” Baumler told WTAQ. “Making that that first appointment. We’re excited.”
She says it’s an important step towards getting back to normal. That sentiment was shared by Diane Gaywont, who took her 11-year-old daughter, Madison, in.
“It’s important to our whole family,” Gaywont said. “It’s important for our whole family. I mean, our kids are active and to take a step back because of COVID being so prevalent in our community… this is just one step further to being able to do normalcy with a little bit of caution.”
Madison, too, was happy to do it.
“It means I’m doing my part to help my community,” Madison Gaywont said. “And I get to get Starbucks after!”
Bellin’s Sherry Lafond says their process is streamlined, and that those with appointments can expect to be in and out quickly.
“We want it to be a good experience where they can come in, get through the registration process quickly, and into the vaccine booth,” said Lafond.
Bellin officials say they intend to expand availability as more vaccines come in.
The vaccine being offered for 5-11 year old children is not a smaller dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine, but an entirely new formulation.
Prevea Health and Thedacare will start offering the shots next week, Prevea on Monday and Thedacare on Tuesday.
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