Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Stephanie McCloud announced on May 12 that Ohio is expanding vaccine eligibility to include children ages 12-15. This move follows required actions by the federal government to review the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in this age group and amend the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the vaccine originally granted on December 11, 2020.
“This is promising news for Ohioans. Making vaccine available to more people will help us return to the life we want to live. The COVID-19 vaccine is incredibly powerful, and by protecting more individuals, we make everyone safer,” Gov. DeWine said in a media statement.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its EUA for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to include ages 12-15, determining that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine in individuals 12 years of age and older outweigh the known and potential risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offered its support of the vaccine’s use in this population after its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed safety and efficacy data and recommended its use to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to the FDA analysis, the Pfizer vaccine is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens and adolescents based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. clinical trial participants ages 12 to 15. The study found no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to those given the placebo. Researchers found the kids developed higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies than earlier studies measured in young adults.
The CDC has shared resources for vaccinating children and teens and also plans to update interim clinical considerations for the COVID-19 vaccines to allow co-administration of COVID-19 and other vaccines without regard to timing. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 and other vaccines on the same day, as well as co-administration within 14 days. This should help facilitate efforts to catch up adolescents on missed vaccinations before the next school year.
ODH has created a new Frequently Asked Questions document to answer common questions from parents, guardians, and youth about COVID-19 vaccines.
- Providers are asked to review and share the updated Fact Sheets for Healthcare Providers Administering the Vaccine and for Recipients and Caregivers
- Children younger than age 18 who are not emancipated must have parental consent for any vaccine, such as meningitis, hepatitis B, or flu. A parent or legal guardian generally should accompany the minor to receive the vaccine, unless the administration of the vaccine occurs in a physician’s office, school-based or school-associated clinic, or similar setting.
- Due to current state law, those age 12 or younger must have a prescription to be vaccinated at a pharmacy; these youth may be vaccinated anywhere except a pharmacy at this time. Youth ages 13 and older do not need a prescription, and may receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy or any other listed vaccine provider.
- Legislation is pending to permit youth ages 7-12 to receive a COVID-19 or influenza vaccination at a pharmacy without a prescription. Prescriptions would still be required for all other vaccinations for this age group. A bill has been passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate, and will soon be signed into law by Gov. DeWine.
If you have any questions or issues, please call the ODH Provider Call Center between 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 1.844.9ODHVAX (1.844.963.4829) or email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov.