Vermont children age 12 to 15 can now sign up to receive Covid-19 booster shots.
A day after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group, the state opened its registration portal for the newly eligible.
“It is critical for parents to continue leading the way by signing up their children as soon as they’re eligible,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a Thursday press release announcing the expanded registration.
The new eligibility allows anyone 12 and older to receive the booster shot of Pfizer’s vaccine. Children are not currently eligible for Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
In their decision Wednesday, CDC officials also shortened the recommended time interval between the initial series of shots and the booster from six months to five months.
That means anyone who received a COVID-19 shot as recently as August will be eligible for a booster this month.
Ben Truman, a spokesperson for the Vermont Department of Health, said that the state increased capacity at its vaccination centers and plans to add new booster clinics at schools.
“We’re also offering many place-based pop ups and vaccination opportunities at events such as winter festivals, as well as in… high traffic areas,” Bennett said in an email. “Between pharmacies, healthcare providers and the variety of clinics offered by the state, Vermonters should be able to easily make sure they are up to date on vaccinations and booster shots.”
Parents and guardians can make vaccine appointments for children at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine or by calling the state at 855-722-7878.
Vaccine appointments are also available at local pharmacies and through some health care centers.
– Peter D’Auria
