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COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Available for Those 12-Years and Older

On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. More information regarding the EUA can be found HERE.

“Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to build immunity against COVID-19,” says Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health. “Ending this pandemic requires using all of the tools we have available, including practicing healthy habits, masking, distancing, and, most importantly, getting vaccinated. Get vaccinated for yourself, your family, and our community.”

 

Parents who would like to have their 12-year and older children vaccinated have several options:

  1. Register for a Pfizer vaccination through California’s MyTurn system found HERE.
  2. Drive-through vaccinations and are offered at the Kern County Fairgrounds Wednesday – Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1142 S P St. Appointments can be made through MyTurn, but are not required.
  3. Contact your child’s normal health care provider to see if they are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.
  4. School districts throughout Kern County will be partnering with Kern County Public Health to offer mobile vaccination clinics.

Useful websites

CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Children and adolescents can get sick from COVID-19 and they can infect others. And while, in general, their cases tend to be less severe, children have developed serious complications.

The benefits of having your 12 year and older student vaccinated are many:

  • No need to quarantine if exposed. Kids won’t have to spend time away from school, sports or extracurriculars, unless they have symptoms or test positive.
  • Protect those around them — friends, teachers, parents, and grandparents.
  • Fully vaccinated friends can be together outside without a mask or social distancing.
  • The more people who are vaccinated, the closer we will get to herd immunity. This is a big step toward returning to our pre-Covid routines and activities.

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are being offered at no cost.

  • Register for a Pfizer vaccination through California’s MyTurn system found HERE.
  • Drive-through and are offered at the Kern County Fairgrounds Wednesday – Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1142 S P St.
  • Contact your child’s normal health care provider to see if they are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Many school districts throughout Kern County will be partnering with Kern County Public Health to offer mobile vaccination clinics.

No. Parental consent is required. The only exception is if they are an emancipated minor.

While Pfizer has submitted for FDA-approval of their COVID-19 vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine is currently still under emergency use authorization. There are no current plans to require them for school attendance.

Yes. The only shot currently approved for those 12 to 17 years of age is the Pfizer vaccine. Like adults, those 12 years and older get two doses, 21 days apart.

Your child’s health care provider is the best source to address your questions and concerns. The Public Health Department welcomes questions and has a nurse vaccination hotline 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm.  Call or text 661-677-4177.

There’s been no official word yet, but clinical studies are already underway in younger children, and there are some signs that the vaccine might be available to them as early as this fall.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Myths Vs. Facts

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