Hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination appointments for kids remain unfilled in Forsyth County

Forsyth County Public Health Director Joshua Swift says hundreds of vaccination appointments for children between the ages of 5-11 this week are still unfilled.

“We're just not seeing the demand," he says. 

Three hundred and eighty younger children got vaccinated last weekend, the first since the shots were authorized for the age group. Swift estimates that about 35,000 Forsyth County children are now eligible under the new guidelines. 

He's encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated before Thanksgiving so that they're protected heading into the holidays. He says the department is taking steps to make the process easier for families.

“We're trying to make it as kid-friendly as possible," Swift says. "We have adequate seating, some music, some giveaways for the kids, just trying to make it welcoming.”

The department is hosting weekend kids vaccination clinics on November 13 and 20. Appointments can be made online.