When it comes to getting vaccinated, you have several options. You can take your child to a private doctor, go to a community health center or get your vaccinations at the local pharmacy. Whatever option you choose, make sure you understand the vaccination requirements for your state.
Pediatricians
The AAP believes children should be vaccinated in their medical home. Pediatricians have the ability to safely administer the flu vaccine alongside other vaccinations.
Pediatricians will also be able to offer patients a booster vaccine for adults with an underlying medical condition. This new vaccine will also be offered to people who live in long-term care facilities.
Pediatricians and other health professionals are working to keep children safe. They have also stepped up to help parents cope with the stress of the pandemic.
In addition to vaccinating, pediatricians have taken steps to allay families’ fears. Parents and clinicians have been advised to eat healthy foods, stay physically active, and manage stress.
Pediatricians and other health professionals have also been urged to share their expertise with others. For example, a clinical health psychologist spoke about ways to improve vaccine access in communities of color.
Pediatricians are also working to ensure that patients are able to communicate their risks. For example, a patient’s history of COVID-19 infection can be part of a preparticipation physical exam.
To help pediatricians prepare, the CDC has released a planning guide for vaccinators. This includes a timeline of the pandemic and major milestones.
Pediatricians and other health professionals will be able to learn more about the pandemic through the AAP’s town halls and virtual office hours. During these events, experts will discuss how to instill confidence in parents, address high stress levels, and address how to connect with other health professionals.
Family practices
If your family lives in the Washington, DC area, you will want to be prepared to get your children vaccinated. Whether it’s the flu, shingles, or a new vaccine like COVID, you will need to know how to get vaccinated.
In the Washington, DC area, health officials are ready to vaccinate infants, kids, and teens. The federal government has approved two new vaccines for children, a shot for shingles and a vaccine for COVID. These shots can be found at pharmacies, hospitals, and family practices.
Parents of young children will be able to find out more information about vaccines on the DC Health website. They can also search for locations that offer drop-in vaccinations.
Families with young children can go to the Children’s National Hospital. This institution has eight locations across the region. Each location has an immunization center. To make an appointment, families will need to show proof that they live in the DC area.
If you have a child over 5 years old, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and HHS will co-brand a toolkit of resources for primary care doctors. They will also host virtual events to reach more people.
The American Academy of Pediatrics will provide a Speaker’s Bureau of pediatricians who will answer common questions and encourage confidence in the vaccine. Additionally, the organization will offer evidence-based training for community health centers.
A nationwide public education campaign will help spread the message. AAP and HHS will work with a number of national organizations to launch this effort.
Community health centers
The District of Columbia has a vaccination requirement that students and school employees must follow. There are numerous health centers in the District of Columbia and they provide vaccines. Vaccines for children are free.
DC Health has a webpage that offers information about the required vaccines. Parents can also contact their child’s primary care provider for more information. Some locations require an appointment. If you are uncertain of when you can schedule an appointment, you can call 2-1-1 or visit the Vaccines for Children website.
To encourage school vaccinations, DC officials have rolled out a number of incentive programs. The “Take the Shot, DC Giveaway” program incentivizes vaccinations through VISA gift cards and raffle entries. This program also surveyed and evaluated vaccination sites.
In August, DC Health conducted 29,000 phone calls to families. These phone calls are part of a larger initiative to increase vaccination rates in the District. One goal of the program is to ensure that vaccinations are provided to the hardest hit communities in the District.
Another program will allow DC residents to receive vaccinations at pharmacies. CVS has two locations in the District. Other locations include Safeway, which has 10 stores in the District.
Many community groups can also request vaccine pop-ups. These pop-ups can be held at school sites. Vaccines for youth aged 5 to 11 are free. However, parents must pre-register.
Those looking for an alternative to health centers can visit Children’s National Hospital, which is offering a mobile unit. A representative of the hospital will help answer questions about the vaccines and encourage parents to schedule an appointment.
Pharmacies
If you’re wondering how to get vaccinated in DC pharmacies, you’re not alone. Lines have formed at grocery-store pharmacies, which are attempting to get shots into as many arms as possible.
For now, the best thing you can do is call your local pharmacy and see what they have. Many pharmacies offer a wide variety of recommended vaccines.
Another good resource is the Health Center Finder. This online tool allows you to search for health centers near you. Some of them offer sliding fee scales. It’s also helpful to check with your state health authority for any special vaccination programs or restrictions.
The CDC recommends a two-month interval between vaccinations. However, some advise waiting three months after the last booster.
Depending on your vaccine provider, you might also be able to skip the first dose. CVS Pharmacy, for example, will vaccinate eligible teachers, child care workers, and health care workers at its stores in DC.
One pharmacy in DC is opting out of the online system and is handing out vaccines by the handful. Alfred Addico, co-owner of Dupont Circle Pharmacy, has a waiting list of nearly 200 people.
Another pharmacy, Grubb’s, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood has vaccinated more than 400 residents since last week. Giant Pharmacy in Shaw is still offering a Pfizer booster shot.
Walmart is also making a big splash with its new vaccine program. It is focusing on boosting vaccination access throughout the country.
Long-term care facilities
The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a COVID-19 vaccination for eligible staff and residents in long-term care facilities. However, some populations remain at risk and there are inequities in access to these vital vaccines. This is why the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) have called on state and federal leaders to focus on vaccinations for long-term care.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will require facilities to report their COVID-19 vaccination rates. This information will help health agencies assess the vaccination impact and identify areas of need.
To better understand how to get vaccinated in long-term care facilities, the Department of Public Health has created a resource. It includes details on the CDC’s vaccination program for nursing homes, as well as state-specific vaccination data.
Long-term care facilities can also enroll in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. It provides on-site vaccination clinics, reducing the burden on facility administrators.
Despite the decrease in new COVID-19 cases, racial and ethnic minorities still have higher rates of infection. In addition, people who live in long-term care facilities have higher rates of severe illness from the virus.
The interim final rule revises infection control requirements for long-term care facilities. It requires that all COVID-19 vaccines be administered when available, and that facilities provide education about the vaccine to their residents.
Proof of vaccination mandates
In Washington DC, proof of vaccination is required if you want to enter a cultural or entertainment venue. These include movie theaters, bowling alleys, gyms, sports venues, and hookah bars.
The requirement applies to people 12 years old and over. The Department of Health is also planning to host a town hall next week to explain the vaccination policy. However, there are still several exceptions to the requirement.
Those who have a sincerely held religious belief are not required to have the vaccine. However, they should be able to show a certificate of exemption or proof of negative PCR and antigen test.
Workers who provide in-person services and those who wear a mask are exempt from the vaccination mandate. However, they must still have a negative virus test within 24 hours.
Nonprofit workers, including interns, who receive funding from the District’s government contracts must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 19, 2021. People with medical or religious exemptions should show documentation of their exemption.
In addition, restaurants and bartenders are expected to check patrons’ vaccinations before allowing them to sit down for meals. They can either accept digital vaccine cards or require a hard copy of the vaccine card.
While the mandate has not been fully repealed, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the city will no longer require proof of vaccination in restaurants. She added that it could return if a new variant of the disease emerges.
