HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.13.21 For Immediate Release_ Butte County to Open Pfizer Vaccinations for 12-15 Age Group_Redacted
From:Almaguer, Lisa
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Cook, Robin;Kimmelshue, Tod;
Lucero, Debra;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug;DOC, PublicHealth;Johnston, Dana
Cc:York, Danette;Cox, Erin;Kirk, Mia;Bernstein, Robert
Subject:For Immediate Release: Butte County to Open Pfizer Vaccinations for 12-15 Age Group
Date:Thursday, May 13, 2021 9:24:57 AM
The following press release will be issued shortly…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2021
Butte County to Open Pfizer Vaccinations for 12-15 Age Group
Following FDA Emergency Use Authorization, Federal and State Safety Review Experts Recommend
the Vaccine as Safe and Effective for Protecting Young People 12+
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – Butte County parents and legal guardians can schedule appointments for
young people in their family who are aged 12+ to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
using the statewide booking system: MyTurn.ca.gov. This expanded eligibility is effective
immediately for all vaccine providers in the county.
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine safety review panel
and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended that the vaccine is safe
and effective in protecting this age group against severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to
COVID-19 disease, and noted that the vaccination in this age group also appears to protect
adolescents from being able to transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that youth now account for 22% of new COVID-19 cases
in the U.S. This time last year it was only around 3%. It is important to get young people vaccinated
to prevent new SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 disease from further spread, especially with the
increase of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in Butte County and nearby counties.
“With COVID-19 cases among youth on the rise, the timing of the Pfizer authorization for ages 12-15
could not be better. While some youth have a less severe or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, they
can still transmit the virus to others,” explained Dr. Robert Bernstein, Butte County Public Health
Officer.
Providers and parents/caregivers can review the Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheets issued by The Food and
Drug Administration (FDA):
For Providers: www.fda.gov/media/144413/download
For parents/caregivers www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
Residents ages 12 to 15 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by a parent or
caregiver and have proof of age at time of appointment. The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two
doses taken three weeks (21 days) apart. It has already been safely administered to millions of
California adults, including more than 30 percent of 16- and 17-year-olds.
Residents 18 years and older remain eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine and
must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver and have proof of age at time of appointment.
To book a vaccination in Butte County, please visit the BCPH COVID-19 Vaccination website:
www.buttecounty.net/COVIDvaccine. Those without internet may call the Butte County COVID Call
Center for assistance: 552-3050.
###
Lisa Almaguer
Communications Manager / PIO
BUTTE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
202 Mira Loma Drive | Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.4000 | D: 530.552.4041 | |
*Please note new phone number
“Nationally Accredited, 09/13/17”
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