GLENARDEN, Md. — Prince George's County residents, including children ages five to 11, began to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at one of many mobile clinics planned through mid-December.
The mobile after-school vaccine clinics will travel to 37 elementary schools and 15 high schools as part of an effort between the county health department and Prince George's County Public High Schools to immunize more eligible people.
The first stops started on Monday at Judge Sylvania W. Woods Elementary School in Glenarden, Bowie High School in Bowie, Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale and Suitland High School in Forestville.
Each clinic will have the two-dose Pfizer vaccine, which is currently the only dose approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to vaccinate children five to 11.
Maya Matheny brought her son, who just turned 12 after the FDA announcement, to Judge Sylvania W. Woods Elementary School to finally get the shot.
"He has wanted to get the shot," Matheny told WUSA9. "I didn't have to convince him. I didn't make it seem like it was something he had to do because I'm telling him he had to do it. He knows that it's important and he was waiting his turn."
The vaccine clinics will also offer Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for those 12 and older.
The COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Sports and Learning Complex will also provide vaccines to individuals five and older.
While walk-ins are allowed at any of the locations, appointments are encouraged. The full list and scheduling can be found online.
Residents younger than 18 receiving vaccinations must have a parent or legal guardian complete the appropriate consent form and bring it to the clinic.
"This has been a pretty much a horrifying experience watching the sickness and death from COVID and we're trying to do our part to keep ourselves and the folks around us are safe," Matheny added.
Prince George's County pointed out how vaccines for children are also available at many pediatricians’ offices, retail and grocery store pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers.
There are several locations across the DMV stressing the limited supply of vaccines for children under 12 years old since the FDA announcement was only last week.
Pediatric Associates of Montgomery County said, "due to high demand from our patients we are currently out of stock of COVID-19 vaccination for 5-11-year-olds." Unless the child already has an appointment scheduled, future appointments are not available until a new shipment comes in.
Kalorama Pharmacy emphasized the limited vaccine supply and stressed calling to cancel appointments.
Capital Area Pediatrics announced it received a small shipment but can only administer to children aged five to 11 years old at vaccine clinics and not during visits.
Fairfax Pediatric Associates said it could only book vaccine appointments for existing patients. Grubb's Pharmacy in Southeast D.C. has a scheduler online but as of late Monday afternoon, only one slot was available for next week.