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COVID-19 Vaccine Approved For Youth Ages 12 And Over The Texas Department of State Health Services has notified vaccine providers that they can begin to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents from 12 to 15 years old, in line with federal guidance. The notice comes after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the vaccine for adolescents last week and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended it for that age group. In Hill County, just under 30 percent of those 16 and up are fully vaccinated, and 36 percent have received one dose of a vaccine. The local vaccination rate is highest among those 65 years of age and older. In this age group, almost 64 percent of Hill County residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and about 56 percent are fully vaccinated.
Texans as young as 12 years old can soon start getting the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 immunization, state officials announced Thursday.
The Texas Department of State Health Services advised providers that the vaccine can be administered to adolescents age 12 to 15 years old, in line with federal guidance.
“While children are less likely than adults to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19, they can be infected with the virus and spread infection in their homes and communities,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and chair of the state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel, in a letter to vaccine providers. “DSHS believes that promptly vaccinating the adolescents in this age group is another valuable tool that will help end the COVID-19 pandemic and have a direct and positive effect on schools being open for classroom learning.”
By Antoinette Odom Texas
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TEXAS Following the FDA’s Pfizer vaccination approval, along with CDC s recommendation, for teens, 12 to 15, the Texas Department of State Health Services orders vaccine providers to begin its administration.
Although children are the least vulnerable to COVID-19, upon infection they are still capable of spreading the virus, says Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and chair of the state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel, in a letter to vaccine providers.
“DSHS believes that promptly vaccinating the adolescents in this age group is another valuable tool that will help end the COVID-19 pandemic and have a direct and positive effect on schools being open for classroom learning,” says Garcia.