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Only 1 in 5 Black children under age 12 have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Vaccination rates among white and Hispanic children are slightly better at 21%, while 52% of Asian children have been inoculated.

Children and teens age 5 and older are now eligible for the new COVID-19 booster shot.

The vaccine is available across North Carolina following emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The updated vaccination will offer protection against the latest COVID-19 variants.

“Kids 5 and older can now get the most up-to-date protection from COVID-19 from an updated booster to help renew their body’s defenses against the latest variants of the virus this fall and winter,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Children are vulnerable to COVID-19 and long-term complications just like everyone else. Staying up to date on vaccines and boosters is the best way to protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus.”

As of mid-September, about 80% of the cases in North Carolina were from Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

Black children in the state are falling behind on their COVID vaccinations.

As of July, 20% of Black kids under age 12 have been vaccinated, close to white and Hispanic children at 21%, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Fifty-two percent of Asian children have received COVID inoculations.

Everyone 5 and older should receive another dose two months after they receive their primary series of the coronavirus vaccine. But COVID isn’t the only vaccine children and adults will need this fall. Cases of the flu are also rising across the state.

“Influenza is really the typical amount we see year to year. That's not been a real increase or change,” said Dr. David Priest, infectious disease expert at Novant Health.
Health experts recommend getting a flu shot at the same time as your COVID booster.

“According to the CDC, during the 2019-2020 flu season, flu vaccines prevented an estimated?7.5 million flu illnesses, 105,000 flu hospitalizations and 63,000 flu deaths across the U.S.,” said NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson. “Children and teens can safely get their flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster at the same time. Health care providers encourage people to stay up to date on both.”

Appointments for booster shots are available at Northwest Health Department, 2845 Beatties Ford Road and at Southeast Health Department on 249 Billingsley Road. Clinics are open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Select locations at Atrium Health will be offering flu vaccine clinics on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 12-4 p.m. For more information, visit atriumhealth.org.

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