Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Available To Ages 12-15 In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Vaccine providers in Alexandria can now offer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to ages 12 to 15 after recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Wednesday and emergency use authorization by the FDA Monday.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorized for ages 12 and up, a change from the previously approved 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines remain approved for ages 18 and older.

Families have options to get children ages 12 to 15 vaccinated through student and family vaccination events, Alexandria Health Department vaccine clinics, and various private providers in Alexandria. Residents can search for Pfizer vaccinations for ages 12 to 17 at www.alexandriava.gov/Vaccines or www.vaccines.gov.

The health department is working with Alexandria City Public Schools and Alexandria’s private schools to make vaccines available to students as well as hosting vaccine events for public and private school families. Upcoming Pfizer clinics open to ages 12 and up include Saturday, May 22 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at George Washington Middle School by appointment and Saturday, June 5 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Francis Hammond Middle School by appointment and walk-ins. A parent or guardian must provide consent for children 12 to 17 in the appointment scheduling, and an adult must be present at the appointment. Walk-ins at the June 5 event require a parent or guardian to provide consent on site.

Other providers working to administer the vaccine to adolescents can be contacted directly:

• Van Dorn Pediatrics, 2500 N. Van Dorn St., # 102, Alexandria, VA 22302. Call 703-933-0555

• Hispanic American Pediatric Associates, 5130 Duke St., Suite 7, Alexandria, VA 22304. Call 703-751-2021

The Alexandria Health Department recommends everyone 12 and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The health department says vaccines are safe, effective and free. Preregistration, ID, and insurance are not required. A parent or guardian must provide consent for a minor to receive a vaccination.

Authorization for the newest adolescent group came after a clinical trial of 2,260 participants aged 12 to 15 in the U.S. The Pfizer vaccine was found to be 100 percent effective in preventing COVID-19, but there is limited data on whether the vaccine can prevent transmission of the virus and how long the vaccine offers protection. The FDA concluded the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the 12 to 15 age group. Side effects during the clinical trial were similar to the 16 and older age group, with the most common being pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain.