Brookline Teens Are Eligible For Pfizer Vaccine: What To Know

BROOKLINE, MA — Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Monday granted emergency authorization for children ages 12 and older to get Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. Brookline Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett said his office has been getting calls asking if they should get their teens vaccinated. His answer? Yes.

"Families should get their teenagers vaccinated as soon as possible, and take comfort in the authorization of Pfizer's vaccine for all people 12 and up as indicator of its both its safety and its strong effectiveness in preventing severe impacts due to COVID-19," Jett said.

Pfizer is the only vaccine available to anyone younger than 18, and has been determined through clinical trials to be "extraordinarily" effective at preventing severe illness from the virus, Jett said.

Those 16 and older have been authorized to receive the Pfizer vaccine since December 2020, and eligible in Massachusetts since April 19.

Public Schools of Brookline are partnering with Pelmeds Pharmacy to offer the two dose Pfizer vaccination series to the district students ages 12 and above for students whose parents give them permission. Their team of vaccinators will come onsite to schools to provide immunizations May 20 at Brookline High, May 26 at Baker School and May 27 at Ridley.

Please use the sign-up link below to choose a date and sign up for the Covid-19 vaccine.

• May 20 Brookline High School: 1:00pm-5:00pm Brookline High School Calendly URL: https://calendly.com/pelmeds2/https-calendly-com-event_types-user-me?month=2021-05
• May 26 Baker School 12:30pm-4:30pm Baker School Brookline Calendly URL: https://calendly.com/pelmeds2/baker-school-brookline?month=2021-05
• May 27 Ridley School 2:30pm-6:00pm Brookline Ridley School Calendly URL: https://calendly.com/pelmeds2/https-calendly-com-event_types-user-me-1?month=2021-05

"This is a major milestone, and an indicator that we are as close as we've been to normalcy since last winter, so I encourage everyone in Brookline who qualifies to get vaccinated and help us put an end to the pandemic."

The Brookline health commissioner shared the following guidance:

• A parent, guardian or otherwise legally authorized representative must give consent for a minor to be vaccinated, which may require written consent the child or teen can bring to their vaccination appointment. For more information or to download a consent form click here.
• Parents and guardians do not need to go with the minor to the vaccination appointment to give consent, if they have provided written consent.

• Among the children and teens in Pfizer’s clinical trial who received the vaccine and not the placebo, the most common side effects following their vaccination were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain. Side effects normally lasted 1-3 days and were more common after the second dose. These side effects are the same as those experienced by adults.

• Side effects are a normal physical response to a vaccine, and indicate the vaccine is doing its job and teaching your body how to fight off COVID-19.
• The vaccine does not contain the coronavirus itself, either in an active or inactive form.
• For more information about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here.

• Use VaxFinder.mass.gov to search for appointments at pharmacies, health care providers, and other community locations
• Preregister at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when it’s your turn to schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination or regional collaborative location.
• People without access to the internet or who are unable to preregister or schedule their appointment online can call toll free 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 for assistance.

The Town of Brookline has a FAQ available: BrooklineCOVID19.com/vaccineFAQ.