Texas Parents: Do You Want Your Young Teens Vaccinated?

TEXAS — The federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to recommend that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine be used in children ages 12-15 after the Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this week that it was expanding its emergency use authorization for the vaccine.

Following the FDA's decision, the Texas Department of State Health Services advised providers across the state to begin administering the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to adolescents age 12-15, while prioritizing vulnerable children, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and those that otherwise have a high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, according to a news release.

“DSHS believes that promptly vaccinating the adolescents in this age group is another valuable tool that will help end the COVID-19 pandemic and have a direct and positive effect on schools being open for classroom learning,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services, in a letter to vaccine providers.

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If you're a parent of a child between the ages of 12-15, Patch wants to know whether you plan on having your child vaccinated. Take our survey below and let us know. The survey will remain open until 5 p.m. local time on Friday.