Watch Live on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at 10:05 a.m.

Tami Minnier, MSN, RN, chief quality officer, UPMC, will give an overall update on how UPMC continues to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinate the community. Richard Beigi, MD, president, UPMC Magee–Womens Hospital, will discuss the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women. Alejandro Hoberman, MD, president, UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics, will share the safety data and plans for vaccinating children ages 5 to 11.

This week, the CDC recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11. All evidence says the vaccine is extremely safe in kids and highly effective at preventing serious COVID-19 illness and hospitalization.

If your child is an existing UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics patient, you can schedule an appointment online or by calling the office. Learn more.

You can also schedule by visiting Vaccine.UPMC.com or calling 844-UPMCVAC (844-876-2822) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week.

UPMC is providing additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to people who are eligible.

According to FDA and CDC guidelines, people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine are eligible for an additional dose if they meet any of the following criteria:

• They are 12 and older (Pfizer) or 18 and older (Moderna) and immunocompromised.
• They are 65 and older.
• They are 18 and older with an underlying health condition.
• They are 18 and older and live in a long-term care setting.
• They are 18 and older and live or work in a setting that puts them at risk of COVID-19, including health care workers, first responders, and more.

Those who are immunocompromised can receive a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine 28 or more days after the second dose. Anyone else who is eligible can get a third dose of any of the three available vaccines six or more months after the second dose.

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) vaccine recipients are eligible for an additional dose of any of the three available vaccines if they are 18 and older and at least two months have passed since their first shot.

To learn more or to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine with UPMC, visit Vaccine.UPMC.com or call  844-876-2822 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information on additional doses, visit our HealthBeat blog.

Emergency Department (ED) visits are rising after dropping in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ED is a crucial place to visit for severe, life- or limb-threatening illnesses and injuries. But it might not be the place to visit if you are experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a test.

Learn more about our many options for care — including the ED, our UPMC primary care physicians, UPMC Urgent Care, and UPMC AnywhereCare.

For a child or teen seeking care, learn more about our UPMC Children's Express Care.

The 2020-21 flu season was more mild than usual. But that may not be the case in 2021-22.

With COVID-19 still widespread and influenza emerging, it's important to get both the COVID-19 vaccine and your annual flu shot to protect yourself and your loved ones. You can even get both vaccines at the same time. Flu shots are recommended for people 6 months old and up, and UPMC has many options for you to get your shot. Learn more about what you can expect this flu season.

• UPMC Information on COVID-19
• Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Update
• World Health Organization
• Pennsylvania Department of Health