This Friday: Appointments for Adolscents Start at State-Run Vaccination Centers

Virginia’s state-run Community Vaccination Clinics (CVCs) will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents aged 12-15 on Friday, following federal approval Wednesday of the vaccine for that age group.

The local CVC is at the former Gander Mountain site (14011 Worth Avenue, at Potomac Mills) and is accepting walk-ins. You can also schedule an appointment at these or other vaccination sites in Virginia: Go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). Starting Monday, May 17, call center hours are 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. To be vaccinated at a CVC, adolescents must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian and be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or someone acting in the place of a guardian. Additionally, sites run by the Virginia Department of Health require the parent or guardian to verbally confirm a minor’s date of birth; however, other providers may require additional proof of age.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced to providers late Wednesday they could begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds after the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) approved its use. The vaccine previously had been approved for use in those 16 and older. Two other COVID-19 vaccines are available for people 18 and older.

Virginia’s CVCs opened in March and have vaccinated over 323,000 people. They use a combination of vendor-supported solutions as well as the Virginia National Guard, local health district Medical Reserve Corps and volunteer organizations. For more information about COVID-19 in Virginia and the Commonwealth’s ongoing efforts in the pandemic, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.