Vaccine Information
El Paso Children’s Hospital is a regional leader in children’s healthcare and is committed to supporting the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for families with children 6 months to 4 years.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has authorized the Emergency Use (EUA) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years old. El Paso Children’s Hospital will be administering the first vaccines on-site Thursday, June 23rd.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the vaccine safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 in children, including severe illness and death.
El Paso Children’s Hospital will have a limited number of Pfizer doses available for the public soon.
Parents must call 915-298-5433 to register their child.
For additional information and consent forms prior to arrival, please visit:
Registration is by appointment only; no walk-ins accepted.
El Paso Children’s Hospital is a regional leader in children’s healthcare and is committed to supporting the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for families with children 6 months to 4 years old.
Children must be 6 months old on the date of vaccine administration and up to 4 yrs old only.
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
- Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
- Get sick from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
- Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
- Get sick from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others
Vax to the Max
Children who are fully vaccinated may resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. People regardless of age are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing their series of Pfizer vaccines. El Paso Children’s Hospital will only administer Pfizer 3 dose series.
Quick Facts for Parents
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be given to children as an injection into the muscle.
- COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.
- Booster Shot: Your child will need a second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine 3 weeks after their first shot.
- Children 6 months to 4 years old receive a smaller dosage of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine than adults.
- Your child can’t get COVID-19 from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- Please plan ahead for 2nd and 3rd dose appointments.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, including possible side effects and more, please visit:
Children who are fully vaccinated may resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. People regardless of age are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing their series of Pfizer vaccines. El Paso Children’s Hospital will only administer Pfizer 3 dose series.
Upon registration, please download and fill out the consent form below. Completed and signed consent forms will be required before vaccination can be administered.
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
- Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
- Get sick from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others
Vax to the Max, Life to the Max!
Children who are fully vaccinated may resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. People regardless of age are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their 2nd dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
- Dress your child in a short-sleeve shirt for easy arm access.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your child’s appointment time.
- You may park for free in the visitor’s garage located on the corner of Raynolds and Alameda.
- Please use the front main entrance to go through a quick temperature check before entering the building.
- Wear a mask, bring a photo ID, and a completed and signed consent form.
- Follow signs in the lobby to the vaccine site in the hospital basement.
- You may schedule a COVID-19 vaccine here at El Paso Children’s Hospital.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will be given to your child as an injection into the muscle.
- The vaccine includes the same mRNA and lipids but different inactive ingredients compared to the vaccine that has been used under EUA in individuals 12 years of age and older.
- The vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID-19.
- For children 5 through 11 years of age, there are no other COVID-19 vaccines available under Emergency Use Authorization other than the Pfizer-BioNTeech vaccine.
- COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, which includes studies in adolescents.
- Booster Shot: Your child will need a second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine 3 weeks after their first shot.
- Children 11 and under receive a smaller dosage of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine than adults.
- Your child can’t get COVID-19 from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- Data have not yet been submitted to FDA on administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at the same time with other vaccines.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, including possible side effects and more, please visit: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/comirnaty-and-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine#additional
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more information
At El Paso Children’s Hospital our number one goal is to provide safe, quality service.
It is our practice that, if someone presents to our emergency room with a contagious disease, we immediately implement appropriate infection control procedures. This includes putting a mask on the patient and isolating the affected patient and other patients /families in the emergency room. If the child must be admitted, our facility has negative pressure rooms that allow us to isolate the patient and protect others on the floor.
We continue to work with our staff and physicians to educate them on appropriate procedures and will work with the El Paso Public Health Department on any future public health concerns.
Please do not visit the hospital if you are suffering from or have been exposed to contagious illnesses. To help you plan ahead, we ask that you do not visit if you are younger than 18 years or are presenting with the following:
• A fever of 100°F or higher
• A cough that produces mucus
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Rash
• Exposure to tuberculosis (TB), chicken pox, measles, mumps and/or rubella
• Shortness of Breath
General F.A.Q.
Tips for Parents
What is the most important thing parents need to know about the measles outbreak?
The most important thing is to have your children vaccinated if they have not already received their vaccines. The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective. The first dose is 93% effective which is received one you are 1 year of age and 97% when you receive the second dose at 4-5 years of age. If you suspect your child might have the measles please contact your PCP and schedule your appointment at the end of the day and wear a mask to protect those in the waiting room area. If your PCP requests for you to be seen at our facility please call our ER 915-298-5443 of your visit before entering. You will be given instructions on how to enter the facility (please do not enter without calling ahead); this disease is highly contagious and airborne. If the patients do not require emergency services they should be referred to the City of El Paso Public Health Department at 915-212-6520 or call 2-1-1. For the safety of our patients, we need to avoid any unnecessary exposures, particularly in patient waiting areas.
How does measles spread?
Measles is very contagious, and spreads by respiratory droplets via coughing or sneezing. If your child is near someone exposed to the virus, you can catch the illness from your child as well. This is why it spreads so quickly. If you cough, sneeze please do so into your elbow or cover your mouth.
What are the signs if my child or I have measles?
• High fever and
• Bad cold symptoms
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Rash 3-4 days after symptoms begin
If you or your child is unvaccinated and starts to have a bad cough, runny nose and red eyes, it could be the beginning of measles. A rash will almost always develop about 3-4 days after onset of illness, but before then it may just seem like a bad cold or flu. Measles is serious, so if you think your child might have it, call the child’s doctor to discuss what to do next.
If I’m not sure if my child or I have been vaccinated, is it safe to get the vaccine again?
A child should receive two doses of the vaccine (MMR) at least 1 month apart. Check with your children’s pediatrician, who should have records about their vaccinations. If you are unsure and cannot obtain records for your child or yourself, getting another measles vaccine is safe.
Can a child who has been vaccinated get measles from a child who is sick with measles?
Concern is very low if your child is up to date on their vaccines. If they have their two injections of the measles vaccine, they are well protected, even if they come in contact with an infected person.
My baby is too young to get the measles vaccine. What should I do?
The best way to protect your baby is to ensure that all family members, relatives and guests who visit the baby are fully immunized against measles (and other illnesses including pertussis). Heed public health warnings in your area. If baby has a high-risk exposure, contact your doctor immediately as there are still steps that can be taken to protect him or her.
We are traveling before my baby is the age doctors recommend the measles vaccine. What should I do?
We would first suggest that unless international travel is necessary, to postpone travel until children have been fully immunized. If you are traveling to Europe or another area with high levels of measles, babies can receive the measles vaccine as young as 6 months of age. This measles vaccine does not count as a routine immunization as it may not be as effective as when the child is 1 year of age or older. Therefore, your child will still need to get two further immunization’s against measles.
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