Syringes of the Pfizer vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on Thursday, Jan. 28. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday said the Pfizer Covid vaccine can be given to 12 to 15-year-olds after a scientific review found the benefits of vaccinating younger teens outweigh the risks.
But that doesn’t mean appointments are open for teens just yet. That’s likely to come later this week.
A federal committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, still needs to issue guidance on administering the vaccine. Then, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will review federal data and make a recommendation to the governors of Oregon, California, Nevada and Washington about use the vaccine.
That workgroup is scheduled to meet Wednesday, May 12, the Oregon Health Authority said in a statement. Authorization could come soon after.
“In anticipation of recommendations for administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to this age group, we have been working with health care providers, pharmacies, community-based organizations, and school districts to make the Pfizer vaccine readily available for eligible youth throughout the state,” OHA said in a statement.
-Rachel Alexander
