More COVID-19 vaccines sites for kids opening up as demand increases

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — If you’re having trouble getting you or your child a vaccination appointment, there are more sites opening up. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that 18 more sites will open this week bringing the total to 216 vaccination sites in New York State.

Starting this week those sites will open. Out of the 18 that are 12 and up, eight of them will be ages five and up. Here in Rochester the Vineyard Farm and Outdoor Center for Excellence will open for 12 and up on Dec. 4.

If you’re having issues snagging an appointment for a booster or for a regular COVID shot, you’re not alone. Health experts suggest accessing more than just your neighborhood vaccine site.

"There are lots of different places that you can reach out to through the state through local health departments through health care provider through the pharmacy,” said family practice physician Dr. Steven Schulz.

As many of you are probably already taking those routes to find an appointment, there are more opportunities on the way. Hochul announced 18 new #VaxToSchool sites open to ages 5 years and older. Holiday travel is around the corner and the worry for health leaders now is kids heading back to school without a vaccine.

"Then to have those kids come back to school after the new year and potentially be spreading COVID further is a concern,” Schulz said.

Boosters are different, anyone 18 or older can choose Pfizer or Moderna six months after their last dose. Anyone who got Johnson & Johnson can get any booster after 2 months. Boosters for all kids are still being evaluated, but those undergoing cancer treatments have started receiving them.

"The 12 to 18 age for that only applies to a specific subset and that is for moderately to severely immunocompromised patients so that’s a small subset especially in the pediatric population,” Schulz added.

Click here to see a list of the other #VaxToSchool vaccine sites.