URBANA, Ill. — Community members 5 and above can now schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 booster at a nearby Carle location. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now officially recommends that eligible individuals 5-11 should receive a booster dose at least 5 months after the completion of their primary series. The Carle healthcare system remains dedicated to offering access to patients and any community member who qualifies to receive a COVID-19 booster to limit the spread of infection in the region.
“We continue to see data confirming being fully up to date with COVID-19 vaccines as the best way to limit getting sick and the severity of disease,” said Robert Healy, MD, associate chief medical officer for Quality, Patient Safety and Experience. “As we are seeing more and more positive cases in the region, it’s important for all community members, especially those most at risk, to do everything they can to stay well.”
Public health officials from the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) both endorse every American who is eligible to complete the primary COVID-19 vaccine series and follow it up with a booster according to their criteria as soon as possible. The 5-11 population continues to be impacted greatly by the virus, which if contracted can cause unanticipated long-term effects and continue the spread the infection to those who are more vulnerable to severe disease.
Carle will have ample access to booster appointments available in Pediatric and Primary Care offices across the region. Anyone can schedule an appointment through their local COVID-19 hotline number, found on Carle.org.
“We hope all families will take advantage of this important layer of protection for their loved ones,” said Kayla Banks, PhD, RN, vice president of Women’s and Children’s Services. “By offering booster doses in Primary Care and Pediatric offices, we hope these familiar environments will make it that much easier for young patients to complete their vaccines and stay up to date.”
Vaccination continues to be the most effective and safe way to reduce infection and severity of disease. Carle and the CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older receive both the primary series and a booster. Carle experts continue to monitor news of the potential for vaccine authorization in patients less than 5 years old.
Visit carle.org for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine and resources near you.
