Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine Available For Young People Age 12 And Up

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — Federal regulators gave the go-ahead on Monday for the Pfizer vaccine to be used on individuals 12 and older.

Local residents looking to get their children 12 and older vaccinated, Nutmeg Pharmacy in Higganum is offering two vaccination clinics for 12+ on May 16 and 23rd from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents must accompany minors. Call 860-345-3607 ext. 1 to schedule an appointment.

According to Rich Kirby's Patch article, Governor Ned Lamont described Connecticut as an "overall leader" in vaccinating young people, and expressed confidence that "over time" parents would understand that the coronavirus vaccine "allowed their children to get back to school safely."

The governor reiterated that the state currently has no plans to make the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for children in public or private schools, but stopped just short of ruling it out completely. He said such an order was his "least popular option, but I think people have got to be vaccinated, getting back into the classroom. I'm going to have a hard time getting teachers into that classroom if people are not vaccinated."

As of Tuesday, more than 71 percent of Connecticut residents over the age of 18 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 56 percent are fully vaccinated, the highest rate in the nation.

With reporting from Rich Kirby.