FDA Authorizes Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 12 to 15

   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.

   “We want to immediately get to work vaccinating young people who now can get the vaccine,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said this morning in anticipation of the EUA of the vaccines. “We'll use all the existing centers that have the right vaccine, for sure, including on a walk-in basis.”

   Although at the time, the city does not have a vaccination effort yet in place for the schools, “we might do something with that going forward,” said the mayor, who explained that for now children will get their shots at city’s vaccination centers. 

   Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene then explained his “three-pronged plan” to vaccinate the city’s 12 to 15-year-olds.

   “Our first step is to use our existing sites that are already administering Pfizer,” Dr. Chokshi said. Anyone with teenagers: between the ages of 12 and 15, can take them to any vaccination site.     

   Secondly, Dr. Chokshi said that the city is “working very closely with pediatricians.”

   “We've been planning and preparing for weeks with our colleagues in pediatrics to get them ready: Both to answer questions about the vaccine specific to children and also in many cases, being able to directly administer the vaccine in pediatrician's offices, because we know how important that is to parents,” Dr. Chokshi said.

    Third, the city is working very closely with the city’s Department of Education partners to get the word out and to ensure that people know how to access their vaccinations.

(Photo by: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)