The distribution plan the state announced earlier this week made the Arkansas Department of Health's more than 70 local health units the first recipients of Pfizer's pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
The 10-microgram dose is one-third the dose given to adults and older children.
The Garland County Health Unit, 1425 Malvern Ave., will offer COVID-19 vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds today from 8 a.m. to noon (see related article at https://www.hotsr.com/news/2021/nov/06/local-health-unit-rolls-out-pediatric/ ).
Providers participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccines for Children program are the second stage of the phased rollout, which will eventually reach pharmacies and clinics that aren't VCF providers.
More information about the availability of the pediatric vaccine is available by calling the Health Department's COVID-19 call center at 800-803-7847.
As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Health is no longer reporting confirmed and probable cases separately. The following stats were posted Friday on the Health Department's website:
• 515,524 cumulative cases, up 557 from Thursday.
• 427.71 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, up 1.57 from Thursday.
• 4,113,557 PCR test reports, up 6,147 from Thursday.
• 9.2% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Thursday.
• 4,565 active cases, up 86 from Thursday.
• 1,175 active juvenile cases, up 22 from Thursday.
• 502,344 recoveries, up 450 from Thursday.
• 4,196,960 vaccine doses received, up 14,560 from Thursday.
• 3,186,495 doses given, up 9,152 from Thursday.
• 293 hospitalizations, down 15 from Thursday.
• 71 cases on ventilators, down eight from Thursday.
• 123 ICU patients, down 10 from Thursday.
• 8,472 deaths, up 20 from Thursday.
• 2,257 nursing home deaths, no change from Thursday.
• 16,023 cumulative cases in Garland County, up seven from Thursday.
• 6.57 rolling seven-day average of new cases, up 0.14 from Thursday.
• 161,601 PCR and antigen test reports, up 162 from Thursday.
• 10.2% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Thursday.
• 72 active cases in Garland County, up one from Thursday.
• 15,554 recoveries in Garland County, up five from Thursday.
• 397 deaths, up one from Thursday.