UPDATE: On May 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved use of the Pfizer vaccine for children 12 and older. San Juan County has pre-planned Pfizer clinics on each of the islands, with the first scheduled for this Saturday on Orcas Island. Detailed info on all clinics is available at https://www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info.

Registration is now open for 12 and older vaccine clinics. Full details and links to register at: https://www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info

This is the Pfizer vaccine. It was approved for use with those 12 years and older on May 12. The second shots will be three weeks after the first. There is no cost. Registration in advance is preferred, but walk-ups are welcome (parent or guardian must be present for walk-ups).

Three posters are attached (one for each island). Please feel free to hang/distribute to help spread the word.

View Q&A video with Dr. Frank James and Ellen Wilcox from the SJC Public Health team that answers many common questions about 12 and up vaccinations and the Pfizer vaccine at https://youtu.be/HK-rpKqbPwc.

Submitted by San Juan County.

Now that most adults in San Juan County have at least received their first shot, there is a rapidly shifting focus to vaccinations for younger residents. This is for very good reasons: they are now our most vulnerable group, they are highly social and mobile, and throughout this crisis, they are in many ways the group who have lost the most. Getting them COVID-safe is our greatest priority.

Below are some key points about where things stand and where they are headed.

So far

Up until now, the Pfizer vaccine has only been available on the mainland. This is due to the logistics of moving and storing the vaccine, and the fact that Pfizer could only be distributed to vaccine providers in large volumes.

A number of island 16 and 17-year-olds have been vaccinated on the mainland.

Currently

The FDA has approved the use of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine in those 12 and older. This happened on Monday, May 10, and was widely reported in the media.

San Juan County received its first Pfizer vaccine shipment and has planned Pfizer clinics that are now open for registration. Dates and times for those clinics are available at https://www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info. Note that the schedule may change as events unfold. The webpage will always have the latest info.

Looking ahead

There will be plenty of Pfizer vaccine on hand to vaccinate all islanders 17 or under. Note that there is also plenty of vaccine for anyone 18 or over to receive the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (those adult clinics are also listed on the vaccine schedule website).

Once registration is open, those who are able are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Parents will need to complete the online form and provide consent for their child to be vaccinated.

Walk-up appointments are welcome at each clinic. Parents or guardians must be present. Unvaccinated eligible family members are welcome as well. All clinics are no-cost.

Second shots will be given exactly three weeks after the first. Sixteen and 17-year-olds who received their first Pfizer shot at least 21 days before are welcome to sign up and receive their second dose on island. They will need to bring their CDC Vaccine Card with them to the second dose appointment.

In conclusion

Stay tuned to https://www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info for details.