Children in Aiken, SC continue to get vaccinated

Landon Stamper, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·3 min read

Dec. 4—The COVID-19 vaccine has been available for children aged 5-11 for almost a month now, and it has slowly spread across South Carolina.

Across the state, 7.6% of South Carolinians in that age bracket have received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which is the brand approved for ages 5-11.

Of that population, 1.4% are considered fully vaccinated. The recommended time between doses is three weeks, which is the same interval for both children and adults.

As of Friday, 5,295 Aiken County residents aged 17 or younger have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 3,980 are considered fully vaccinated. DHEC does not have county-specific data on its website showing only ages 5-11.

Though the ingredients in the vaccine children receive are the same as the ones in the adult version, the pediatric dose is equivalent to one-third of the adult dose.

Carolyn Emanuel-McClain, CEO of Rural Health Services, said Wednesday she hasn't seen many children come to Rural Health for the shot.

"We've probably only administered about 10," Emanuel-McClain said.

She said it's been a bit of a throwback to when the vaccine was first made available for adults at the beginning of the year.

"Everyone was afraid of (the vaccine) because it was unknown," Emanuel-McClain said. "You're experiencing the same thing with the children now, and the mothers say 'Well, this is still so new. They just made it. It just started and I'm afraid to give it to my child because I'm not sure how they will feel or what their reaction will be.'"

"It's almost like the parents are more afraid to give it to their children than take it themselves," she continued.

In any case, Emanuel-McClain said she's glad the age group able to receive the vaccine has been expanded. Others in the medical community share her feelings.

"We are so excited that COVID-19 vaccination is now an option for children aged 5 and older, with a dosage meticulously studied for younger immune systems," said Dr. Susan Goldberg, IBCLC, of Palmetto Pediatric Center at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. "Vaccination of school-aged children will help decrease the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and further help prevent rare but serious complications of COVID-19 in kids. This will hopefully lead to a gradual return to a more normal childhood with less interruptions in school, sports and social development.

"As advocates for healthy children, we are incredibly proud to be able to provide vaccines to families in our community," said Goldberg. "I am so incredibly grateful for the science behind these vaccines."

There are six locations in Aiken where those aged 5-11 can receive a vaccine: the Aiken County Health Department, 222 Beaufort St. N.E.; Walgreen's, 2191 Whiskey Road; Rural Health Services — Clyburn Center, 1000 Clyburn Place; Tiffany Pediatrics, 215 Town Creek Road; Aiken Regional Medical Centers, 302 University Parkway; and Rural Health Services, 4200 Whiskey Road.

In Aiken County, a total of 87,159 residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 73,082 are considered fully vaccinated.

To find a vaccine location, visit vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov.