Although COVID-19 is usually less serious in children than in adults, some children can become very sick, and it can cause children to be hospitalized. In some instances, it can lead to death. The good news is that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children from age 5 through 11. See additional resources below; I hope they will be helpful.
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
Johns Hopkins Medicine: COVID Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know
Healthy Children: The Science Behind the COVID-19 Vaccine: Parent FAQs
The New York Times: My Kid Is Afraid of Shots. How Can We Prepare for the Covid Vaccine?
CDC: Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2021–2022 Season
Psychology Today: Mindfulness Practices to Save Your Sanity in Lockdown
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
Psychology Today: 7 Lessons for Success Learned From a COVID Vaccine Inventor
CDC: Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
New Vaccine and Testing Site in Downtown Baltimore
Maryland Department of Health and partners open new vaccine and testing site at State Center in Baltimore City (300 W. Preston Street, 21201):
- Vaccinations: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Walk-up vaccines will be available to individuals ages 12 and older anytime during operating hours.
- Pfizer vaccines for individuals ages 5–11 will be available by appointment only, while supplies last.
- Visit umms.org/bccvaccine for the latest hours of operation or to schedule.
- Testing: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Walk-ups and appointments will be available via umms.org/bccfh.
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Kennedy Krieger Institute for Individuals With Disabilities
Kennedy Krieger Institute hosts a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesdays between 1 and 4 p.m. and Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., by appointment. This clinic is for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers who are 5 years of age or older.
Wednesdays, 1–4 p.m.
1741 Ashland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205
First-Floor Clinic
Fridays, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
801 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205
First-Floor Clinic
Individuals may receive their first, second and/or booster dose(s) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at this clinic. (Please bring proof of previous dose[s] if receiving a second or booster dose.)
All individuals who can tolerate wearing a mask must do so at all times while at the clinic. We can accommodate individuals with disabilities who are unable to wear—or tolerate wearing—a mask. If you and/or the individual being vaccinated are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come to the appointment. We can accommodate those who need to come by medical transport vehicle.
The vaccination environment is sensory-friendly—with minimal sights and sounds—to accommodate those who are sensitive to noise and light. Professional behavioral support staff members and members of Kennedy Krieger’s child life team will be on-site to help calm those who have vaccination anxiety. Spanish and American Sign Language communications and translation are available, on request.
This COVID-19 vaccination clinic is by appointment only. To make an appointment, please email COVID19Vaccine@KennedyKrieger.org or call 667-205-4930, extension 5-4930.
New COVID-19 Plain Language Fact Sheets
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (Council) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released seven (7) COVID-19 fact sheets in plain language. The Council funded the development and design of the fact sheets with grant money from a partnership between the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention to help people with disabilities get vaccines. The fact sheets are translated in Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, Russian, and Korean. The topics include high risk health conditions, testing, monoclonal antibody treatment, vaccines, vaccines at home, vaccines for children, and booster shots. You can download these fact sheets as a set or by topic.
