Looking ahead: Authorization for children ages 12-15 to receive Pfizer vaccine could come next week

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — For months, Pfizer COVID-19 shots have been going into arms of adults but soon enough, teens could get also get the vaccines.

The FDA is expected to authorize emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 by early next week.

The CDC Advisory Committee has a meeting on Wednesday to discuss adopting the FDA’s age-expansion recommendation.

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The vaccine the children would get is the same two-dose regimen authorized for those ages 16 and up.

Back in March, Pfizer said its clinical trials showed the vaccine was 100% effective.

In the clinical trials, Pfizer said the teens experienced similar side effects to young adults including pain, fever, chills and fatigue, specifically after the second dose.

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Orange County Public Schools said they are working with the health department to set up vaccination pods at schools for the new age group, and it will run similarly to the ones hosted at high schools this week for students 16 and up.

Osceola County said it’s doing the same, and are mindful of when they will do the sites at schools because children need a parent present.

“We will be looking at something in the afternoon, or a day that we don’t have school, maybe a Saturday morning,” Osceola superintendent Debra Pace said.

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Seminole County is also involving their schools with the rollout, but say they are ready to take the teens at their largest site.

Cox Media Group