May 14, 2021 For Immediate Release
On May 10th, the FDA provided emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children 12 years of age and older. The Baltimore City Health Department and Baltimore City Public Schools are excited to be moving forward with vaccinating the pediatric population, another critical step in our vaccination efforts here in the City.
We understand that many parents may have questions about the Pfizer vaccine. First, the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents is made of the same ingredients as the Pfizer vaccine for adults, and is absolutely free. The Pfizer vaccine was proven to provide 100% protection against COVID-19 disease for children between the ages of 12-15. To put this another way, of the adolescents who received the vaccine, there were 0 cases of COVID-19. Also, just like in adult populations, the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents requires 2 doses that are given 21 days apart.
You or your child may feel some side effects after receiving the vaccine! These are a sign that the vaccine is working, and your body is building up immunity to COVID-19. Common side effects for children included pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, usually lasting 48 hours after the vaccine. Adolescents may experience side effects after both doses, with more side effects noted after the second dose.
We are excited about this approval and pending approvals for vaccine use in children because vaccination in younger populations will help to slow COVID19 disease transmission among the greater population. While healthy young people are less likely to be hospitalized or suffer severe disease from COVID19, they are still at risk for hospitalizations, illness, and even death from COVID19. Additionally, children with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, sickle cell disease, genetic conditions, heart disease from birth, or suppressed immune systems may have increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. We have seen as vaccination rates increased among older adults there was a dramatic decrease in hospitalizations for this age group, and will likely see similar trends as we vaccinate younger populations.
The Baltimore City Health Department and City Schools will be working together to answer questions about the vaccine, beginning with sending out a parent/guardian survey about the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination to better inform our pediatric vaccination outreach. In the months to come, some schools will also be holding vaccination clinics to make getting the vaccine easy for parents and their children 12 and older, as well as partnering to identify parent and guardian vaccine ambassadors, to help spread the message about the importance of adolescent vaccination with the Covid-19 vaccine.
With summer on the way, now is the time for Baltimore City youth to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will protect our young people from COVID-19 as they take summer trips, enjoy time with friends and family, go to summer camp, and work summer jobs. As with our other vaccination efforts, we will be working with our partners to ensure equitable access to vaccines for our young people.
Beginning today, young people, aged 12 years and up, along with their adult family members can sign up for Pfizer vaccination appointments at the University of Maryland Baltimore online at getthevaccinebaltimore.org or call 410-706-3000.
Young people are also able to get vaccinated at many state mass vaccination sites which offer the Pfizer vaccine and can make an appointment by calling 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829) from 7 am-10 pm, 7 days a week, or by visiting https://massvax.maryland.gov.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sonja Santelises Dr. Letitia Dzirasa
Baltimore City Schools CEO Baltimore City Health Commissioner