For more than a year, we have all practiced masking, social distancing and engaged in regular hand washing. In the last six months, COVID-19 vaccines were added to the arsenal of tools to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Vaccine eligibility has continued to expand and now anyone age 12 and up may receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The recent expansion to allow adolescents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine has led some parents to ask, is the vaccine safe for kids?

When asked about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12 and up, Skagit Regional Health pediatrician Cheryl de Silva, MD said, “The vaccine has been tested through the FDA emergency use pathway for the designated eligible population (kids ages 12+). The benefit of the vaccine significantly outweighs the rare risk of side effects associated with the vaccination. It has been tested on control groups and their results of those studies are available through the CDC.”

Dr. de Silva recommends that her patients who are 12 years and older get vaccinated to stop the spread of illness in our community and protect all of the vulnerable populations from contracting COVID-19. “It will also help push us towards a state of herd immunity, giving protection to those that are not eligible for the vaccine, like our very young children,” Dr. de Silva said.

Dr. de Silva recommends asking your pediatrician or family provider about any vaccine-related concerns. She also encourages parents who are unsure about the vaccine to “think about the benefit that they would be giving their children by allowing them to have immunity to a virus that has impacted our community for far too long.”

Vaccine supply has improved in recent weeks and appointments are available. Now is the time to schedule a vaccine appointment for anyone in your household who is 12 and older.

Important Vaccine Information for Minors

• Pfizer is currently the only vaccine authorized for those 12 to 17 years of age. Skagit Regional Health only offers the Pfizer vaccine at the SRH - Vaccine Clinic in Mount Vernon.
• Scheduling is easy. Simply fill out the COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Form and you will be emailed a personalized link to directly schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.
• Anyone under the age of 18 must bring a parent or guardian to their vaccine appointment.
• The Pfizer vaccine requires two shots spaced several weeks apart. Your second dose appointment will be scheduled when you are at the clinic for your first dose.

Questions about scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment? Call the Skagit Regional Health Vaccine Scheduling Line at  360-814-6300.