The Latest Vaccine News from Our COVID Testing Center

With all the confusion surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent emergence of widely distributed vaccines, one question in particular has risen to the forefront for many families: when will children be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine? While there is no set date at this point in time, our family urgent care clinic can help fill you in on the information available. Read on to learn more, and if you have any additional questions, contact our on-site COVID-19 testing center serving the Houston and Dickinson, TX areas.

Vaccine Trials

Vaccinating children is recognized as an essential step in developing or nation’s herd immunity and getting the pandemic under control. Pediatric clinical trials are currently underway to test the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine on children. The trials begin with teens in the 12 – 16 range and will then “de-escalate” through younger age groups, according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci. He is optimistic that children as young as first-graders may have the vaccine by the time the new school year starts this fall.

Trials are a necessary if time-consuming step for understanding how younger people’s unique immune systems will react to vaccination and determining the proper dosage levels. Note that Pfizer is ahead of Moderna in this process, as only the former has completed enrollment for their first study. Moderna’s CEO has predicted that their company will not have sufficient clinical data until 2022. Even once shots are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, it is very possible that the same issues adults are currently facing regarding limited supplies may need to be overcome again.

Our COVID Testing Facility is Here for You

While you and your family wait to be vaccinated, know that COVID-19 rapid results testing and antibody testing are still available here at St. Elizabeth Urgent Care. Appointments are not necessary at our urgent care clinic, so please feel free to walk in when you need us. If you would prefer to maintain social distancing protocols and receive treatment in the comfort and privacy of your own home, we also offer virtual telemedicine visits.

Call or stop into St. Elizabeth Urgent Care today for all your COVID testing and information needs.