COVID-19 Vaccines For Teens In AZ: What To Know

ARIZONA — A federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed vaccinating those between the age of 12 and 15 with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

State-run sites in Arizona have exclusively used the Pfizer vaccine, meaning that those looking to get vaccinations for their children can do so at any of the Arizona Department of Health Services-run sites in the Phoenix area, as well as Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff, the department said.

The CDC's endorsement opens up vaccinations to the nearly 400,000 residents in that age group in Arizona, according to the department.

Dr. Cara Christ, who is the director of the department, said in a statement that the Grand Canyon State's vaccine roll-out program is ready to welcome adolescents into the mix, with vaccinations for teens beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday.

“We’re delighted to be able to welcome these young people to state-run mass-vaccination sites starting Thursday,” Christ said in a statement. “These safe, highly effective, and free vaccines are our best shot at returning to normal, and having more vaccinated individuals gives COVID-19 less of a chance of spreading.”

Parents and legal guardians will need to sign a consent form in person and attest to the fact that the child is at least 12 years of age, the department said.

Here's what to know about getting your adolescent family members or friends a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in Arizona:

• Go to ADHS' vaccine finder: The state's health service has a website dedicated to helping Arizonans find a nearby vaccination site, with an option to filter locations by vaccine type.
• Check with your child's pediatrician: Many doctors' offices in Arizona have already received COVID-19 vaccination doses, meaning parents don't have to take their children to a state-or-county-run site to get a vaccination. The office or neighborhood healthcare provider can order COVID-19 vaccines directluy from the CDC, according to ADHS.
• Non-Pfizer county vaccine sites: The department said it's currently working with counties that are using other COVID-19 vaccines, such as Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, to ensure that Arizona teens will have access to Pfizer vaccines going forward.
• Appointment or walk-up?: Appointments will not be required for teenagers, just as walk-ups are allowed for those in older age groups, the department said. They are encouraged, however, to reduce waiting times once you do arrive at a vaccination site.
• CVS accepting COVID-19 appointments: National pharmacy chain CVS is already accepting COVID-19 vaccine appointments at 105 locations in Arizona, the company said. Patients are encouraged to schedule an appointment at CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy mobile app, though walk-ins are also accepted.

For more information on Arizona's COVID-19 vaccination effort, visit ADHS' site.