Pediatric COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children as young as 5 are now available for scheduling across DeKalb County, with doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be administered as soon as this weekend.

This week, local state and federal health officials authorized emergency use for the Pfizer vaccine to those as young as 5. Pfizer is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine offered to those under 18. It’s a two-dose immunization which requires three weeks, or at least 21 days, in between doses, according to the CDC. Children who receive the shot must have a parent or guardian present and to make the appointment for them.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free and available to all.

According to the CDC, vaccination was nearly 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5 to 11 years. In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild, self-limiting and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children. The most common side effect was a sore arm.

Where to sign up:

DeKalb County Health Department, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb, starting Nov. 10

According a press release from the DeKalb County Health Department, the health department will begin to offer limited Pfizer vaccines for children as young as 5 at its regularly scheduled pediatric vaccine clinics on Nov. 10, 15 and 17.

Beginning Dec. 1, the health department will offer additional vaccine appointments for children as young as 5 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, alongside specific pediatric clinics.

To schedule an appointment for your child, call the health department at 815-748-2401.

CVS Pharmacies, including locations inside Target and Schnucks, starting Nov. 7

1,700 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide – with more than 50 select locations in Illinois – are now accepting vaccination appointments.

CVS inside Target, 2555 Sycamore Road in DeKalb

CVS inside Schnucks, 976 S. Annie Glidden Road

Additional CVS pharmacies throughout the county.

To schedule an appointment: Visit www.CVS.com or go through the CVS Pharmacy app

Hy-Vee, 2700 DeKalb Avenue in Sycamore, starting Wednesday, Nov. 3

In select pharmacy locations beginning Wednesday, Nov. 3.

Visit www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Jewel-Osco: will offer the vaccine at on-site school clinics in the future

Meijer, 541 Puri Pkwy, Sycamore, appointment scheduler opens Wednesday, Nov. 3, shots begin Nov. 9

Meijer will offer the Pfizer vaccine in all its pharmacies across the Midwest. The retailer will begin administering the first in the Pfizer two-dose series to the those as young as 5 on Nov. 9 by appointment only to start.

Text COVID to 75049 to schedule an appointment.

Walgreens, starting Nov. 6

Walgreens will offer the COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 5 at its thousands of stores nationwide beginning Saturday, Nov. 6.

Appointments can be made at www.Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, through the Walgreens app or by calling 1-800-Walgreens.

Walmart, 2300 Sycamore Road in DeKalb and Sam’s Club, beginning later this week

The retailers will begin offering vaccines to those as young as 5 in more than 5,100 pharmacies nationwide starting later this week “as supply allows,” according to its website.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.Walmart.com/covidvaccine or www.samsclub.com/pharmacy/immunizations.

Capitol News Illinois contributed to this story. This story could be updated as more locations become available.