According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),
children ages 5-11 years old will be vaccinated with two
10-microgram doses administered 21 days apart. The dosage
is one-third of the adolescent and adult dose. Dosages are
determined by age, not a child's size or weight.
The COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as other
routine vaccines but should be done in a different injection
site. The CDC and AAP also recommend children with prior
COVID-19 infection get vaccinated.
Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk
for severe illness from COVID-19. Vaccinations help protect
children younger than five years old who cannot receive the
vaccine. Learn more about the CDC's recommendations for
vaccinating children and teens.
COVID-19 in the U.S. and Missouri
As of Nov. 4, 78.4% of people ages 12 and older across the U.S.
have had at least one vaccination. Percentages of
vaccinations directly correlate with age groups, with older
Americans having the highest rate of vaccinations.
Out of the total 222,591,394 people (67% of the population) that
have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose:
• 222,357,053 (78.4%) are ages 12 and older.
• 207,344,425 (80.3%) are ages 18 and older.
• 53,518,351 (97.8%) are ages 65 and older.
Out of the total 193,227,813 people (58.2% of the population)
that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19:
• 193,091,922 (68.1%) are ages 12 and older.
• 180,434,243 (69.9%) are ages 18 and older.
• 46,797,662 (85.6%) are ages 65 and older.
Though the correlation between age group and percentage
vaccinated remains true for Lafayette County, Missouri, the
vaccination rates across all ages fall far lower.
As of Nov. 4, the total number of fully vaccinated people in
Lafayette County, Missouri was 13,613 – less than half (41.6%) of
the county's population.
• Ages 12+: 15,250 people (54.7%) have received one dose and
13,612 (48.8%) have received both.
• Ages 18+: 14,434 people (57.3%) have received one dose and
12,907 (51.3%) have received both.
• Ages 65+: 4,914 people (79.3%) have received one dose and
4,553 (73.5%) have received both.
The transmission rate is currently rated high in Missouri, with
CDC recommending all county residents to wear a mask in
public, indoor settings. As the holiday season arrives, CDC
recommends including safety measures in any gathering or
travel plans.
Protect yourself and others, especially during flu season, by
scheduling a free flu shot, COVID-19 test, vaccine, and/or
booster shot. Individuals can receive the flu shot at the same
time they receive the COVID-19 booster shot. Flu vaccines are
recommended annually for everyone six months and older.
Find a flu shot near you at MOStopsFlu.com.
How Missourians can get a free COVID-19 vaccine:
• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you
can search for availability by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Call the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 1.800.232.0233 (or
TTY 1.888.720.7489). Help is available in multiple languages.
• Locate local vaccination events in Missouri at
MOStopsCovid.com.
• Seniors and homebound adults can make arrangements
using information at MOStopsCovid.com/seniors
• Missouri DHSS COVID-19 Public Hotline
• 1.877.435.8411
• Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
How Missourians can get a free COVID-19 test:
• Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the
state's free community testing sites: COVID-19 Community
Testing Sites.
• Order a test through the state's free at-home COVID-19
testing program.
Find a free testing option near you through the federal
pharmacy locations.
PAGE 13 / NOVEMBER 18, 2021
