Children ages 12 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine starting Thursday, May 13, 2021 as the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued recommendations to allow its usage. This follows a Monday meeting where the United States Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12 and older. On Wednesday evening, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup completed its review and also approved the usage for children 12 and older. This was the final hurdle for approval in California.
According to the Los Angeles Times, although children have had less complications from the COVID-19 pandemic than seniors, the vaccination will help protect children from contracting it and spreading it to others. Some children who have contracted COVID-19 have suffered from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) which causes the body to be inflamed including vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain, skin, eye, etc. The syndrome is often painful and is potentially deadly.
Children under age 18 must be provided consent to get the vaccine by a parent or legal guardian. This can be done with the parent present at the vaccination center or by written consent. Side effects of the vaccine for children have been similar to those of adults. In its initial study, the Pfizer vaccine was 100% effective in preventing children from contracting COVID-19.
For vaccine appointments in Riverside County, go to: https://www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine
