Local parents react after FDA approves Pfizer vaccine for kids 12-15

BOSTON — News that Pfizer’s two-shot COVID-19 vaccination was approved by the FDA is making some parents happy.

‘I think it’s an exciting progression towards getting back to normal,” said Sam Dlott of Southborough.

Dlott is vaccinated and she is glad to hear her 12-year-old daughter may soon be able to get a shot too. Pfizer today got the green light from the FDA for its vaccine to be used on 12- to 15-year-olds. That, according to local doctors, is a big step in getting us all back to normal.

“And every person we can get vaccinated is going to get us one step closer to that overall goal,” said Dr. Helen Boucher, who is the chief of Infectious Diseases at Tufts Medical Center.

And she wants to reassure parents the vaccine is safe for their kids.

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“In this age group, 12-15, over a thousand have been vaccinated and there have been no cases of COVID, very good immune responses with antibodies,” Dr. Boucher said.

That speaks directly to Dlott’s concern about her 12-year-old daughter.

“You know height and weight requirements and things like that. I’d like to take a deeper dive into what they’re recommending as far as the development of children,” Dlott said.

But not every parent has reservations. Colin Florendo wants his 15-year-old son to get the shot ASAP.

“Because he needs the vaccine. He’s my height and weight. He’s basically an adult, and I’m good with that,” Florendo said.

Dr. Boucher said, in trials, 12- to 15-year-olds had the same basic side effects as older teens and adults.

“We see the same thing that we see in young adults. We see a sore arm, maybe some muscle aches, maybe a little fever for one to three days,” Dr. Boucher said.

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