BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Health First in Brevard County is hosting a special COVID-19 vaccine clinic for teens in Melbourne Saturday.
They’ll be administering 600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis.
Doctors have said teens are less likely than older adults to become seriously ill from a COVID-19 infection, but they can still carry and transmit the virus.
Jessica Maynor, Health First’s Director of Vaccinations, says vaccinating the county’s younger population is the key to keeping the entire community safe from the virus.
Nearly a quarter-million Brevard County residents have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but just over 8,000 of those were between the ages of 16 and 24. Now, health first is targeting this age group with vaccines.
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“We’re having a special vaccine opportunity for our teens on Saturday to help be available for them during times that are consistent with them not being in school or extracurricular activities,” Maynor says.
Although they’re less likely to have an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 infection, Maynor says there are still several important reasons for teens to get vaccinated.
“We’re trying to get to that younger population because those younger individuals can pass on an asymptomatic infection to their loved ones,” Maynor says. “We will also be available to vaccinate the parents as well, so if their loved ones have not had an opportunity to be vaccinated, we’ll also vaccinate the adults.”
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Teens who show up for the Health First clinic Saturday for a Pfizer vaccination must have a parent or legal guardian present with them.
Health First is also scheduling appointments through its website for those who may not be able to take part in a walk-in clinic. To register, click here.