Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Available To Ages 12-15 In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Vaccine providers in the Fairfax Health District 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 can find Fairfax County Health Department appointments through the vaccine scheduling portal by searching for Pfizer or contacting the call center at 703-324-7404. The Tysons Community Vaccination Center accepts appointments and walk-ins. Inova Health System is scheduling appointment for ages 12 and up at www.inova.org/COVID19/vaccine-scheduling.

Other options can be found by searching for the Pfizer vaccine with your ZIP code at www.vaccines.gov or contacting your physician to check vaccine availability.

The Fairfax County Health Department is also working with Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax City, and Falls Church City Public Schools to ensure access for under-resourced students. Families should look for announcements from their schools. The health department covers Fairfax County, cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, and towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton.

A parent or guardian must provide consent for a minor to receive a vaccination. A parent, guardian or another adult must accompany a minor to a vaccination appointment at health department sites.

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.