19 May Pfizer Vaccine Approved for Kids 12 -15

Vaccination of kids ages 12-15 started last week after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for children as young as 12 in the United States. Things to know:

• Administration is the same for kids – 2 doses, 3 weeks apart
• A clinical trial of over 2,200 youth ages 12-15 showed that the vaccine is effective: Zero in the group that received the vaccine got COVID-19. 
• Commonly reported side effects from this age group: pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain, and last 1-3 days
• 12-14 year olds will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian or have parental consent. Parental consent is:
• A signed consent form: Spanish or English from All4OR.org site. 
• A written or typed note that includes the parent/guardian’s name, relationship to the young adult, date of birth, a statement saying they consent to the young adult being vaccinated and the parent/guardian signature.
• Fifteen-year-olds in Oregon do not need parental consent.

Here is how and where kids can get the vaccine right now:

• Make an appointment directly at the Portland Convention Center: Click Here for Spanish or Click Here for English
• Walk-ins at the convention center are welcome. May Hours of Operations are:
  • Sunday – Tuesday, Noon – 7p.m. 
  • Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
  • Closed Fridays and Saturdays
• Hillsboro Stadium’s drive-thru site will accept a limited number of drop-ins during its operating hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to make an appointment, call 833-647-8222 or  Click Here to visit OHSU in Spanish or Click Here to Visit OHSU in English.
• Check out any place, like your local pharmacy, that is vaccinating adults with the Pfizer vaccine – they may be taking kids.

Read our updated FAQ by clicking here for more information about COVID-19 and where to get the vaccine.

This is an exciting step to getting life back on track and we will be following all the updates to learn what this means for Bienestar kids. A few of the questions on our mind so far:

• Where will kids receive the vaccine in Washington County?
• Will schools require the vaccine?
• Is there enough to get all Oregon’s adolescents vaccinated before school starts in the fall?

REMINDER: Fill out the Vaccine Experience Survey by June 1  and enter to win a $100 gift card! Let us know how you are feeling, whether you’ve gotten the vaccine or not.

We know the pandemic has been tough and even as summer is arriving and things are looking up, it can still be hard. Folks on the other end of the Safe & Strong helplines are here to help Click here for more information in Spanish or click here for English. If you or someone you know needs to speak with someone right away, call the Washington County Crisis Line at 503-291-9111.