Harris County Begins Vaccination of Children Over 12 Years Old Thursday After CDC Guidance – Houston Public Media

Harris County will begin vaccination of children over the age of 12 with COVID-19 from Thursday, the county’s Department of Health said Wednesday.

The news came after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the Pfizer vaccine. Can be used in adolescence..

According to the Harris County Public Health Department, children aged 12 to 15 can now be vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at NRG Park. Parents or guardians can pre-register their children and vaccinate them at: ReadyHarris.org, Or by calling the Public Health Vaccine Center at 832-927-8787.

NRG is also vaccinated daily without reservation from noon to 9 pm.

Parents or guardians who do not bring children must sign a parental consent form.

Great news: The CDC has just officially granted Pfizer vaccine to children aged 12 to 15 years and is ready to get it in Harris County. Join us at NRG Park tomorrow from noon 5/13 to 9 pm daily. We also cooperate with the school. (Parental consent is required).

-Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) May 12, 2021

The decision to start vaccination of younger children adds an additional 17 million to the vaccine eligibility pool. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 3.85 million US children have been positive since the onset of the pandemic, 12% of all cases, but children are more generally asymptomatic and associated with coronavirus. It is unlikely that you will get a serious illness.

According to HCPH, children now account for 22% of all new COVID-19 cases, up from just 3% of US cases last year.

Following the CDC’s guidance, the Texas Department of Health recommended vaccination of adolescents and urged Texas healthcare providers to begin vaccination of children 12 years and older.

Children between the ages of 12 and 15 can be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Prompt vaccination of this age group can end the pandemic faster and have a positive effect on the school. #TexasDSHSNewsRelease For more information: https://t.co/S7ZZ14qJMW #HealthyTexas pic.twitter.com/ynyQViLjyS

-Texas DSHS (@TexasDSHS) May 12, 2021

A spokesman confirmed that the Houston Department of Health, which currently administers only the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines approved for people over the age of 18, has no plans to start vaccination of younger children.

Adolescent vaccination can bring regions and countries closer to herd immunity goals. In recent weeks, the pace of vaccination has slowed across the country, including Harris County. There was an unexpected drop in demand..

“This is very important,” said Bill McKeon, CEO of Texas Medical Center. Talked to Craig Cohen, the host of the Houston Matters on Wednesday. “If all communities really want to return to the freedom they enjoyed before this pandemic, it is very important that their children be vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Harris County Public Health has already given Pfizer COVID vaccine to people over the age of 16 for several weeks, both in public places and in cooperation with the school district. HCPH is vaccinated in partnership with four school districts in the county and will expand its availability based on the latest guidance.

“Through the pandemic, adolescents are more likely to be infected than younger children and to others than younger children,” said Dr. Maria Rivera, an alternative local health authority for Harris County Public Health. I read the statement. Vaccination helps stop the spread of the virus and end the pandemic. “

In addition to Harris County, several Texas Medical Center hospitals have also announced their intention to begin vaccination of younger groups. On Wednesday, Baylor College of Medicine announced that it had already begun administration to children over the age of 12. The Houston Methodist Hospital also confirmed that it would begin vaccination of youth, saying on Tuesday that the Memorial Hermann Health System was only awaiting state approval.

More than 480 CVS pharmacies have also announced that they will begin booking COVID-19 vaccines for adolescents over the age of 12 from Thursday with the consent of their parents or legal guardians.