Granite Staters soon will be able to log in to the state’s vaccination scheduling system to get COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children as young as 12.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that it’s endorsing the two-dose Pfizer vaccine for children 12 or older. The decision was widely anticipated after the Food and Drug Administration cleared the vaccine for emergency use in that age group earlier this week.State officials said appointments will be available in VINI, the state’s vaccination scheduling system, starting Thursday, and same-day appointments will be available at some locations.The decision came after Pfizer studied the vaccine in more than 2,000 children age 12 to 15 and found it to be safe and effective. There were no cases of COVID-19 among the children who were given the vaccine in the study.Doctors said when side effects were reported, they were similar to what adults experience, including sore arms, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills and aches. The side effects were much milder and more short-lived than COVID-19 symptoms.”The vaccine is the light at the end of that tunnel,” said Dr. Christine Arsnow, New Hampshire vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It’s one actionable step we can take towards ending the pandemic, so for that reason primarily and also because I really believe in the science and the safety of the vaccine, I am recommending that my patients receive it when they’re eligible.”The CDC also said it’s safe to take a COVID-19 vaccine alongside other vaccines.
MANCHESTER, N.H. —
Granite Staters soon will be able to log in to the state’s vaccination scheduling system to get COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children as young as 12.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that it’s endorsing the two-dose Pfizer vaccine for children 12 or older. The decision was widely anticipated after the Food and Drug Administration cleared the vaccine for emergency use in that age group earlier this week.
State officials said appointments will be available in VINI, the state’s vaccination scheduling system, starting Thursday, and same-day appointments will be available at some locations.
The decision came after Pfizer studied the vaccine in more than 2,000 children age 12 to 15 and found it to be safe and effective. There were no cases of COVID-19 among the children who were given the vaccine in the study.
Doctors said when side effects were reported, they were similar to what adults experience, including sore arms, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills and aches. The side effects were much milder and more short-lived than COVID-19 symptoms.
“The vaccine is the light at the end of that tunnel,” said Dr. Christine Arsnow, New Hampshire vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It’s one actionable step we can take towards ending the pandemic, so for that reason primarily and also because I really believe in the science and the safety of the vaccine, I am recommending that my patients receive it when they’re eligible.”
The CDC also said it’s safe to take a COVID-19 vaccine alongside other vaccines.