FLINT, MI- On May 10th, 2021, the FDA authorized the use of Pfizer vaccine for children 12 years of age and older. According to the FDA, there have been 1.5 million cases of COVID-19 in children 11-17 years of age reported to the CDC. Children with COVID-19 tend to have mild or no symptoms. There are cases where children do get severely ill and require hospitalization. Children must be accompanied by a parents or legal guardian when receiving the vaccine. 

“It’s great news to have a safe and effective vaccine available to protect younger Michiganders as we work to eliminate COVID-19 once and for all,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “We are incredibly proud that the Pfizer vaccine, which is now approved to protect our children, is manufactured right here in Michigan. As a parent, I encourage all parents with children in this group to have a conversation with your family doctor about the vaccine as soon as possible.”

The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine in individuals 12 years of age and older outweigh known and potential risks, supporting the vaccine’s use in this population. The available safety data to support the emergency use authorization in adolescents down to 12 years of age, include 2,260 participants ages 12 through 15 years old enrolled in an ongoing randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in the United States. A total of 1,131 adolescent participants received the vaccine and 1,129 received a saline placebo. More than half of the participants were followed for safety for at least two months following the second dose with no significant adverse effects.