Granite School District teachers and staff wait in line to receive the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine at Hunter Junior High School in West Valley City on Friday, Jan.15, 2021. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — More places are offering to give the COVID-19 vaccine to kids ages 12 to 15 in Utah.
Several local health departments say you can sign your child up for the first dose this week or early next.
While officially, the Salt Lake County Health Department plans to begin offering the Pfizer vaccine to kids ages 12 and older starting on Monday, you could get it sooner. Parents who come to one of the county health department clinics Thursday, Friday or Saturday looking for a teen vaccine will not be turned away, health officials said.
The Davis County Health Department says those appointments are available Thursday and Friday, and the Utah County Health Department says Friday. Parents in the Weber-Morgan Health Department’s area of coverage can begin to sign up their teens right away.
The Tri-County Health Department in eastern Utah started vaccinating that age group Wednesday night.
CVS Pharmacies is offering the vaccine for 12-15-year-olds starting today.
In all of these places, parental or legal guardian consent is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
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The Roberts family told KSL TV they are signing up their teenagers.
“I want my kids to be protected, and I don’t ever want to have to go through those symptoms again,” said Jennifer Roberts. Their family got Covid-19 in December.
14-year-old Drake Roberts had a mild case of the virus.
“I am definitely going to get it. I don’t’ want to have to catch that again or I don’t want anyone around me to catch it,” he said.
Meanwhile, a new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows how some parents feel about vaccinating their kids. One in three parents say they will wait to see if the vaccine is effective, and 20-percent say they won’t get their kids vaccinated.
Dr. Darin Bosworth with Wasatch Pediatrics says it’s good to be cautious, but he feels the vaccine is safe and effective.
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“We now have the benefit of knowing it’s been used in adults, sixteen and above for some time now with very little side effects. And now fortunately we’re able to lower that age to 12 which I think it great,” he said.
Wasatch Pediatrics says they hope to start vaccinating 12-15-year-olds as early as next week. You can check with your pediatrician, too, and ask them about any concerns.
COVID-19 coronaviruses transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization