Skokie To Begin Vaccinating Children As Young As 12 Next Week

SKOKIE, IL — Skokie village staff announced plans to start vaccinating children aged 12 to 15 whose parents live or work in Skokie starting on May 18.

On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include children under 16 following clinical trials of over 2,000 U.S. volunteers. There were no cases of the coronavirus among fully vaccinated kids, compared to 18 among those who received placebos.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to vote to recommend administering the Pfizer vaccine to children as young as 12.

“Like adults, all youth age 12 and older are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” Mike Charley, director of the village health department, said in a statement. “Current data show that the vaccine is safe and effective in children, and it not only protects our kids but also their families and the entire community."

Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows 75 percent of Skokie's population over age 16 and 92 percent of the population 65 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to village staff. About 44 percent of the village's total population was fully vaccinated as of Friday.

Two first-dose clinics are planned next week the village's 7770 Frontage Road vaccination site. Registration for the May 18 Pfizer clinic will open by the end of the day Wednesday.

Related:
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Expanded To U.S. Children 12 And Older
Illinois To 'Ramp Down' COVID-19 Vaccine Supply As Demand Lowers
Chicago Area Children's Hospitals Plan Clinics To Vaccinate Kids 12-15

Residents can also look to arrange vaccinations from alternative sources, including pharmacies and healthcare providers.

Several Chicago area children's hospitals have begun planning vaccination clinics for middle schoolers and younger high schoolers. Doctors from Advocate Aurora Health, NorthShore University HealthSystem and Comer Children's Hospital Tuesday announced plans to begin vaccinating children aged 12 to 15 at clinics as soon as Thursday.

To receive a dose at a village clinic, a parent or guardian must present proof of Skokie residency or written proof that they work at a Skokie business, such as pay stubs, a business card or a letter on company letterhead verifying employment.

Individual household members must register individually with the village's vaccine pre-registration form. Village staff asked people who registered with through the village but received a vaccine elsewhere to remove their name from the list.

Regardless of who administers the dose, or whether it is the first or second jab, all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive a vaccine. Unvaccinated parents are welcome were also encouraged to get a jab from the village.

"Help us increase vaccine uptake and get past COVID-19 by bringing your whole family to get vaccinated together," Charley said.