Blanchfield Army Community Hospital now offers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children and teens ages 12 and older.
According to a news release, the Food and Drug Administration has expanded the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include children and teens ages 12 to 15. Pfizer’s clinical trials involving 12 to 15 year olds showed 100 percent efficacy, robust antibody responses, and no serious side effects.
BACH Commander Colonel Patrick Birchfield says, “Although most children who get COVID-19 seem to recover, we do not know the lasting impacts COVID-19 may have on them. As more contagious strains of the virus spread, it is critically important to protect children and teens with the COVID-19 vaccination.”
Vaccinating children against COVID-19 helps protect them from getting sick and helps reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus to others, including parents and grandparents, who are more at risk of severe illness.
To schedule an appointment for TRICARE beneficiaries ages 12 and above, go online to the Blanchfield website and click on the Dose 1 link. Parents must accompany children and teens ages 12 to 17 to sign required paperwork and are urged to not forget a second dose is required several weeks later to become fully vaccinated.