Washington teens could get Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as early as Thursday if CDC approves
If the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup give the green light -- teens around Washington could get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine as early as this Thursday.
"The fact that my children can be in line to get that now – absolutely sign us up," said Abby Johansson, who lives in Everett.
This is the news Johansson and her family have been waiting for. With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizing Pfizer’s shot for adolescents – Johansson's oldest son can get immunized.
University of Washington Medicine Professor of Pediatrics and Seattle Children’s Physician Doug Diekema said the Pfizer vaccine is critical in protecting children from coronavirus.
"We see the sicker ones and some of them are extraordinarily sick and some of them are left with long-lasting impacts even after they’re recovered," Diekema said.
Diekema said side effects from the Pfizer vaccine are similar between adults and teens.
"Maybe just a little tired, need a nap, be a little sore, have a little headache – but then, they’re fine," said Diekema.
UW Medicine Professor and Head of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division Anna Wald said long-term adverse events from vaccines are extremely rare.
She said the children in the trial were followed long enough to ensure the shot was safe.
"So we consider four to six weeks to be the usual timeframe when we see vaccine side effects emerge," Wald said. "It’s incredibly unusual for vaccine side effects to be, you know, further down the road than that."
In the end, medical experts said getting teens vaccinated will mark a huge step towards normalcy.
"It has you know huge ramifications, not only for the health of kids who we can hopefully prevent from getting severe illness from COVID-19, but also in terms of getting them back to their normal activities," Diekema said.
"So I think this is really exciting that the FDA has recognized that this vaccine is both safe and effective in children...I actually think it will improve both the parents and the teenagers quality of life in terms of what they can do," said Wald.
When can teens 12-15 get a Pfizer shot?
Starting Tuesday at UW Medicine, parents can schedule shots for their teens for appointments as early as this Thursday. Keep in mind, UW Medicine said you may have to reschedule that appointment if a CDC committee raises red flags about the vaccine in its meeting Wednesday. However, UW said it’s highly likely the committee will give the green light.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Wednesday to go over the data and make specific recommendations on the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 12-15.
After that, medical experts from the western states -- Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada -- will meet Wednesday night to do a separate review of the data.
If these groups give the thumbs up to Pfizer, providers could be approved to start administering shots to teens widely sometime on Thursday.
"It's a big deal for those of us who work with kids. I know most pediatricians are very excited about being able to vaccinate children and American Academy of Pediatrics has been looking forward to this," said Diekema.
I asked Seattle Children’s Hospital when they are planning on administering shots to kids 12-15. They said they’re waiting on final guidance from the Department of Health.
CVS Pharmacies said they will give the Pfizer vaccine to kids as young as 12 once the CDC committee recommends it.
We know the Seattle Infectious Disease Clinic is already giving shots to adolescents 12-15. We asked DOH about that. They said there is no penalty for providers vaccinating now, but insurance may not cover the administration fee until that CDC recommendation.
DOH tells me they want providers to wait to vaccinate kids until they get official approval.
