Congresswoman Scanlon Joins First Lady Jill Biden to Encourage Covid-19 Vaccines for Kids in the Philadelphia Region

Statement

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today joined First Lady Jill Biden at a pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted at CHOP Karabots Pediatric Care Center in West Philadelphia. The visit was part of an ongoing nationwide effort by Dr. Biden urging parents and guardians to vaccinate kids ages 5-11 and encouraging families to get booster shots. Governor Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf, Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03), Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02), and Madeline Bell, President and CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, also participated.

"It was an honor to welcome the First Lady to Philadelphia and help her deliver the important message that our families, including young children, need to protect themselves against COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated," said Rep. Scanlon. "With the arrival of the Omicron variant and a long winter ahead of us, COVID still poses a very real threat for communities across America. We cannot let down our guard. Now that vaccines are available to youth ages 5-11, it is crucial families seize this opportunity to protect their kids. Being able to offer vaccines for children is a key step towards defeating COVID-19 and returning back to normal life -- it protects families, keeps kids in school, and allows parents to return to work. I am incredibly grateful for health care providers like CHOP that have stepped up to help get children vaccinated quickly and with a bedside manner that reflects the unique needs of young children. I hope any parents or other caregivers who are still waiting to get their little ones vaccinated will do so as soon as possible."

All Americans ages 5 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot. Individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine can get their booster six months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can get their booster two months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination.

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