This story appeared in WWMT. Read more here.
Calhoun County health leaders vaccinated kids ages 5 to 11 against COVID-19 on November 8th.
This was the first clinic hosted by the Calhoun County Public Health Department in Battle Creek.
“I got my vaccine,” said 6-year-old Foster Zima. “I was sort of nervous, the needle didn’t even do anything, it didn’t hurt that much.”
About 150 young kids got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the health department.
Parents said it’s a moment they had been eagerly waiting for.
Mother of three, Erin Gentry said she brought her two children that are eligible to get the shot.
“I’m just so excited, glad for this day,” she said. “As a family this is something we strongly believe in, just taking care of our family and community.”
The vaccine clinics for younger children look different than other mass vaccination events.
“The fact that we could go into a private room was really nice and work with people who know how to talk to a child and work a child through a process like this, it was very comfortable,” Gentry said.
In Kalamazoo County, 250 appointments for the health department’s first vaccine clinic for the younger age group on Nov. 6 booked up within hours.
Calhoun County’s clinic on Monday was walk-in or parents could make an appointment.
Health officer Eric Pessell said they have about 8,000 kids age 5 to 11 in Calhoun County.
He said he expects turnout to come and go.
“We expect about 30% are probably eager to come and get the vaccine right away, another 30% are going to wait and see and then another 30% who probably won’t get it,” Pessell said.
This was the only vaccine clinic the health department had scheduled for this age group at this time. Pessell said they were going to wait and see what the demand was, before organizing additional clinics.
Doctors offices and pharmacies across West Michigan are also taking appointments right now to vaccinate 5 to 11-year-olds.