Monroe County officials are calling the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision to allow the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12 “a significant step” that will further protect public health.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza issued a joint statement saying that the county is finalizing plans to begin vaccinating 12- to 15-year-old residents as soon as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) concludes its meeting later this week.
The county officials say that once finalized, all Monroe County-operated vaccination locations that offer the Pfizer vaccine will be accepting residents 12 to 15 years of age with parental or guardian consent.
Bello and Mendoza are encouraging all parents and guardians to contact their child’s pediatrician to discuss the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and the process by which it has been approved.
County officials say that the timing works out well, since Monroe County is shifting vaccination efforts to more localized neighborhood clinics, many of which are in schools.
