It’s been over a month since the updated COVID-19 vaccine rollout began, but some parents across the country are struggling to find the vaccine for their youngest children.
As a result, a group of parent volunteers called Vaccinate Under 5 created a crowdsourced spreadsheet with locations providing the updated COVID-19 vaccine to children under 5 across most of the country. (Public Good News has not individually verified the information, but the spreadsheet is populated by parents who call providers and pharmacies to include logistical information, such as if walk-in appointments are available.)
A mother who goes by the username @Yannotyam on X (formerly Twitter) started the spreadsheet last year when the original COVID-19 vaccines were approved for children under 5. “It didn’t feel fair to have more hurdles to access when I and other parents have already been through so much—child care, work disruptions, months upon months of regulatory delays, [and] missed opportunities,” she says.
One reason why it has been harder for parents to find vaccination sites for children under 5 is the federal government’s Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. The act was amended in August 2020 to, among other provisions, authorize state-licensed pharmacies across the country to vaccinate children between the ages of 3 and 18 without liability.
Though some states have different age minimums, overall, this means that most pharmacies only vaccinate children over 3.
Plus, with the end of the public health emergency, insurance companies are now responsible for covering the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, resulting in coverage and billing issues. Vaccine distribution delays have also affected nationwide supplies, especially of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for younger children—which comes in a different package and dosage.
If you’re a parent looking for the updated COVID-19 vaccine for your child under 5, here’s where Vaccinate Under 5 recommends you look:
- If your child is 3 years or older, try a pharmacy.
- If your child is between 18 months and 3 years, try a CVS MinuteClinic.
- If your child is under 18 months and their pediatrician doesn’t have the vaccine, check out Vaccinate Under 5’s spreadsheet or parent networks on social media.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.