By Niah Madigan
The FDA cleared the Pfizer COVID vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds on Monday, May 10. You can sign up for the vaccine online at the CVS website, or at https://myturn.ca.gov/ .
The authorization of the vaccine is a huge step towards finally ending the pandemic, as it expands the population of people eligible for vaccination to about 87% of the total U.S. population, according to NPR.
While children are less likely to die from COVID, that doesn’t mean there is zero risk. According to NPR, in the U.S. alone tens of thousands of children have been hospitalized for COVID, and COVID has been one of the leading causes of death for children during the pandemic. Teenagers have been stuck inside and using virtual learning for more than a year now, and getting the COVID vaccine is important to return life back to normal.
Because children and teenagers are commonly asymptomatic if they catch COVID, it’s more likely that they will transfer the virus to more people without knowing. Getting children and teenagers vaccinated will help slow the spread of people within all age groups.
While there hasn’t been any official announcements or decisions regarding the vaccine for children under 12, preliminary clinical studies have already been underway, says Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. It is likely that a vaccine will be authorized by this fall.
beniciapaw.com 