TEXAS — Following the FDA’s Pfizer vaccination approval, along with CDC's recommendation, for adolescents, 12 to 15, the Texas Department of State Health Services orders vaccine providers to begin its administration.

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Although children are the least vulnerable to COVID-19, upon infection they are still capable of spreading the virus, says Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and chair of the state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel, in a letter to vaccine providers.

“DSHS believes that promptly vaccinating the adolescents in this age group is another valuable tool that will help end the COVID-19 pandemic and have a direct and positive effect on schools being open for classroom learning,” says Garcia.

For children 12 to 17, parental consent is needed for their vaccination — this can be provided orally or in writing. However, a guardian isn’t required to be present for the vaccination., unless the vaccine provider instructs otherwise.  

Tools for locating vaccine providers are available at covidvaccine.texas.gov or vacunacovid.texas.gov.