Union County Now Giving Pfizer Vaccine To Kids Ages 12 And Up

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County residents ages 12 and older can now make an appointment to receive the Pfizer vaccine COVID-19 vaccine.

Union County is administering the Pfizer version, the only vaccine currently approved for people under 18, at two vaccine centers.

The centers include the Union County Vaccination Center at Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth and starting on May 22, the Union County Vaccination Center at Plainfield High School.

"Expansion of eligibility to our younger residents is a big step toward the success of the vaccination program," said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. "With the likelihood of schools reopening in the fall, it is paramount that we protect our children, along with their families and teachers. We encourage all residents who are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated as soon as possible."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel approved the emergency-use authorization of Pfizer's vaccine for teens ages 12-15 on Wednesday.

"The approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 and older provides a new segment of the population the opportunity to be vaccinated. As we continue to see pandemic restrictions lifted and work towards a path to re-open America, vaccinating our youth brings us one step closer to turning the corner safely as we return to going about our daily lives," said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is Chair of the County’s Public Safety Committee that is overseeing the County’s COVID-19 response.

Children that are ages 12 and older must bring a birth certificate or other form of identification to their vaccine appointment. They must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Residents can sign up by visiting ucnj.org/vax or by calling the Union County COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 908-613-7VAX.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he could not comment yet on whether New Jersey will require children and teens get the coronavirus vaccine to go back to school in September. Read More: All NJ Teens Can Get COVID Vaccine With CDC Approval: Gov. Murphy

"I hope we can get there of their own free will to get vaccinated as opposed to mandating it," said Murphy Wednesday. "I will say this: It's just a reality that it's gonna be a lot more convenient to be vaccinated, and a lot more inconvenient to not be vaccinated. That's just gonna be a fact over time."

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