SM County: FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Ages 12+, 5/20 & 5/21!

12 May SM County: FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Ages 12+, 5/20 & 5/21!

San Miguel Public Health will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, May 18 at 7 pm MST to discuss the development, efficacy, safety, and side effects of the Pfizer vaccine for parents and children interested in learning more. The Zoom meeting room is 875 7561 1213 with passcode 819 022.

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For more information regarding the updated public health order, visit the county’s COVID page: bit.ly/smccovidpage.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 12 to 15 years old. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advisory committee is expected to meet Thursday, May 13, and is likely to approve this authorization, allowing for the added age group to begin receiving the vaccine.

Upon CDC approval, Pfizer will be the only vaccine in the United States currently authorized for children ages 12 through 17. Next week, San Miguel County plans to offer two Pfizer clinics for interested adults and children ages 12 and older with parental consent.

Public Health’s Pfizer vaccine clinics will occur:

• Thursday, May 20 in Norwood at the Lone Cone Library. Individuals can schedule appointments by visiting: http://bit.ly/pfizernorwood
• Friday, May 21 in Telluride at the Telluride Intermediate School. Individuals can schedule appointments by visiting: http://bit.ly/pfizertelluride

At present, San Miguel County has limited access to Pfizer due to storage limitations and does not expect to receive Pfizer vaccines in large or consistent quantities. Public Health will continue to plan clinics as supply allows. Regional opportunities for vaccine appointments outside of San Miguel County can be found at vaccinefinder.org.

Pfizer-BioNTech began trials for the age group in the fall of 2020 enrolling 2,260 adolescents in the trial in the United States. According to the final report, no cases of COVID-19 were observed in the vaccinated group of 1,131 participants, while 18 cases were observed in the placebo group. These results demonstrate 100% efficacy and robust antibody responses in the trial participants.

The vaccine also appeared to be safe for these children, with very mild side effects comparable to those seen in trial participants who are 16 to 25 years old. The most common side effect, fevers, were slightly more common among vaccinated 12- to 15-year-olds; about 20 percent of them had fevers, compared to 17 percent in the older age group.

“We do not have data on the long-term side effects of these vaccines, though we are close to one year’s worth of observation amongst the first vaccine trial patients,” said Dr. Diana Koelliker, Medical Director of Emergency & Trauma Services at Telluride Regional Medical Center. “We do, however, have data on the long-term side effects of having had COVID-19 in children and adults, especially as it pertains to the heart, along with patients’ respiratory and nervous systems. We ask that families discuss vaccination together and consider that a vaccine brings us one step closer to sports, extracurriculars, socializing and in-person learning.”

Five Commitments of Containment:

• Wear a mask
• Maintain six feet of physical distance
• Minimize group size
• Wash hands frequently
• Stay home when sick and get tested