Ochsner to Host a Kids 5 – 11 COVID-19 Vaccine Event at City Park on Saturday, NOV. 13

COVID-19 vaccine appointments for the event are now open; parent or guardian must be present

NEW ORLEANS – Calling superheroes ages 5 to 11! Ochsner Health and New Orleans City Park are teaming up for a family-friendly COVID-19 vaccine event on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 33 Dreyfous Drive in front of City Putt Miniature Golf Course.

Appointments are now available for children ages 5 to 11 for this event by visiting myochsner.org or by calling 844-888-2772. Walk-up appointments will be accepted, and adult doses of the Pfizer vaccine (ages 12 and up) will be available. A parent or guardian must be present for children under the age of 18 to receive the vaccine.

Ochsner Health is thrilled that children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to get their ‘superhero shot,’ and this event celebrates them. With a focus on family fun, Ochsner and City Park will offer STEM-based and community art activities during a 15-minute monitoring period following the vaccination. Eligible participants who get the COVID-19 vaccine onsite will receive $100 gift cards from the Louisiana Department of Health as part of the state’s Shot for 100 Program. A limited number of admissions passes to the Louisiana Children’s Museum will be available to families, as supplies last. The event will also feature appearances by the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans entertainment teams and superhero-themed giveaways.

“Expanding the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine to younger individuals ages 5 to 11 is a critical step forward to curbing the spread of the virus and protecting our children. The increase in pediatric cases and pediatric hospitalizations during the fourth surge of COVID-19 underscored how vulnerable the children of Louisiana are to this highly contagious and deadly virus. Friends protect each other – so let’s let the children of Louisiana get their superhero shot so they can get back to focusing on their lives at home, at school and in play,” said William “Billy” Lennarz, MD, FAAP, MMM, System Chair of Pediatrics, Ochsner Hospital for Children.

“As a destination for family fun, New Orleans City Park is the perfect location for this vaccination event. Through the pandemic, providing positive health outcomes in our community, the Park’s open spaces have been a respite to the public, giving residents and their families a place to exercise, see friends at a safe social distance, and reintroduce themselves to the natural beauty of the Park. We are delighted to team up with Ochsner Health to help local children and their families,” said Cara Lambright, CEO, New Orleans City Park.

About the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5 – 11

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) are recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorization for expanded use. Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children highly encourage vaccination of all eligible children as well as adolescents and adults.

Children given the Pfizer vaccine receive a two-dose regimen of 10 micrograms each, which is a third of the dose for those ages 12 and above. A trial of 5-to-11-year-olds who received the Pfizer vaccine showed it was safe and 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections in this age group.

You do not need to be an existing or past patient of Ochsner to receive the vaccine at this event or any of our vaccination sites. Children will automatically be scheduled to receive their second vaccine dose in three weeks.

To learn more, please visit www.ochsner.org/vaccine. To make vaccination appointments for children, adolescents or adults at other locations, please visit myochsner.org or call 844-888-2772.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 900,000 people from across the globe in 2020, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named the top hospital in Louisiana and a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 32,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org.

About New Orleans City Park:

For over 170 years, New Orleans City Park has provided access to abundant natural and cultural resources to residents of the region and visitors from around the world. The Park’s 1,300 acres make it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. City Park is a popular place to fish on the bayou, picnic, experience safe outdoor play, or engage in athletic pursuits—as evidenced by more than 16 million visits each year. City Park’s annual operating budget has been largely derived from self-generated activities. The COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida, which significantly affected revenue-generating facilities due to restriction closures, highlighted the vital importance of diversifying revenue streams. Through these challenges, the Park’s walking trails, urban forest, and open spaces continue to be a respite to the public. To learn more about the Park and to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund, visit NewOrleansCityPark.com.