Health care organizations across the Triad are gearing up to provide the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds following an announcement from the Food and Drug Administration's announcement this week that it's been approved for the age group.
Novant Health and the Forsyth County Department of Public Health say the earliest they could begin administering the vaccine to those 12-15 is Thursday. They are waiting for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's federal vaccine committee to issue its final recommendation.
Once that happens, Forsyth County Public Health Director Joshua Swift says providers will be able to move forward. The county is scheduling appointments and will accept walk-ins for clinics on Thursday and Saturday.
When asked whether individuals will have to provide a birth certificate as verification of age, Swift said there are currently no guidelines on that.
“We don't require that people give a birth certificate for Pfizer vaccine which is for 16 and 17-year-olds now," he says. "We don't require that at this time.”
According to Novant Health, a minor will not need to be accompanied by an adult at their vaccination as state law allows minors to give consent for medical services for prevention or treatment of communicable diseases.
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