Boulder County encourages parents to vaccinate children 12+

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
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COVID-19 vaccine providers in Boulder County are now administering the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12 and up after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) emergency-use authorization last week. 

On May 10, the FDA announced an amendment to the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 12-15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in this younger population.

Minors must have parental consent to receive the vaccine. Parents do not need to be present for the vaccination as long as consent is documented, but they should check with the vaccine provider to confirm.

Currently, schools, childcare and higher education facilities account for the highest proportion of newly reported outbreaks in the state.

“This safe and effective vaccine is an important step to protect our youth,” said Indira Gujral, Communicable Disease and Emergency Management Division Manager. “The vaccination can not only help prevent children from getting COVID-19, but it can also protect them from getting seriously sick if they do get the virus.”

In a clinical trial, the Pfizer vaccine was shown to be safe and effective among people ages 12-15. The trial included 2,260 children ages 12-15 years old in the U.S. There were 18 cases of COVID-19 in the placebo (unvaccinated) group and none in the vaccinated group. The vaccine showed 100% efficacy in this trial.

There were no severe adverse events clearly associated with the vaccine in the trial. Side effects of the vaccine in this age group were similar to those seen among young adults (e.g., temporary sore arm, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches). CDC and FDA will continue monitoring for safety. 

“Protecting our youth from getting COVID-19 is a critical step in getting families back to the activities they enjoy together,” said Chris Campbell, Boulder County  Public Health Emergency Management Coordinator. “With summer camps and vacations coming up, now is the time to get youth vaccinated.”

In addition, according to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines can now be administered on the same day, as well as simultaneous administration within 14 days, for any age 12 and up. COVID-19 vaccines were previously recommended to be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines. This was out of an abundance of caution and not due to any known safety concerns. Substantial data has now been collected regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized by FDA. Data shows that adverse effects are generally similar when vaccines are administered simultaneously as when they are administered alone.

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