Updated: 8:28 PM CDT May 12, 2021
KOCO Staff
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department announced it will immediately begin providing COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12+.According to officials, following the FDA’s approval and the CDC’s guidance, the OCCHD will immediately begin allowing children age 12 to 15 years of age to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to get vaccinated, officials said. Legal guardians must bring documentation verifying their guardianship status to the child.“With COVID-19 cases rising in children across the country, OCCHD is excited that we can now help keep these young people safe from this deadly virus, especially as kids are looking forward to summer camps and vacations to visit families,” said Dr. Patrick McGough, OCCHD’s executive director. The first opportunity for a vaccination is Thursday at Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S. May Ave., where OCCHD is offering vaccinations from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. No appointment is needed.On Saturday, OCCHD will be at John Marshall High School, 12201 Portland Ave., administering the Pfizer vaccine as part of a partnership with Oklahoma City Public Schools, Casady School and Harding Chart Preparatory High School, officials said. People can sign up for appointments online or visit the school between noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday.The COVID-19 vaccine is also available at many other medical providers in the county. OCCHD encourages parents and guardians to book a vaccination appointment with their child’s medical provider.Going forward, officials said anyone age 12 and older will be able to get the Pfizer vaccine when available at OCCHD’s events. Appointments can be found online. According to officials, there are 64,540 children age 12 to 17 in Oklahoma County. In Oklahoma County, 7% of to-date positive COVID-19 cases have been in children age 12-17 years old, which equates to 6,183 cases.