Thousands of area youngsters are now eligible to be inoculated against COVID-19 after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the green light for youngsters ages 5 to 11 to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Those ages 12 and older already have been cleared to receive the vaccine.

Richmond and Henrico health district officials said the smaller dose for 5- to 11-year-olds is available now at pharmacies, pediatricians’ offices and at the Community Vaccination Center and area health hubs.

Appointments are required for youngsters, officials stated. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or an adult age 18 or older who can verbally confirm the parent’s permission has been given for the child to be vaccinated.

The Richmond Raceway at 600 E. Laburnum Ave. will be open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 6, as a Community Vaccination Center.

The operation then will move Monday, Nov. 8, to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. in Richmond by The Diamond baseball stadium. The Ashe Center clinic will be open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Area vaccination hubs are open 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday at Second Baptist Church of South Richmond, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd.; 1 to 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave.; 1 to 4:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Richmond Health District Cary Street Clinic, 400 E. Cary St.; and 9 a.m. to noon every Friday at the Henrico West Health Department Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.

Appointments may be made online at vax.rchd.com or by calling (804) 205-3501.