Teen frontline workers eligible for Pfizer vaccine in NC
Many essential workers that make up the service industry are in contact with others every day and considered at-risk for contracting COVID-19.
Posted — UpdatedThe answer is yes, but there are specifics to note.
Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for those under 18. Orange County health officials told WRAL News they include 16- and 17-year-olds if they're administering Pfizer doses. For the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine, doses are authorized for use in those 18 and up.
Jon Bretzius’ 16-year-old daughter, Grace, is a hostess in a restaurant in Cary. At the suggestion of her boss, she signed up and got the first dose of the vaccine.
"Her employer did a very responsible thing and let them know ahead of time so that she was aware of it, said Bretzius. "And she went onto the site and got registered."
Michael Longo of Vic's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria told WRAL News that there are several teens who work in his restaurant, and he would be in favor of them getting vaccinated.
"With my food truck, we have a lot of 16- and 17-year-olds that work with us there, and it would be good for them to have the opportunity to get the shot," said Longo.
Counties try to assign 16- and 17-year-olds to sites where the Pfizer dose is administered but don't always know what vaccine brand will go to each specific clinic. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them to sign a consent form.
A statement on the NCDHHS' website notes that children can't receive the vaccine until clinical trials are completed and the vaccines are deemed safe and work to prevent the virus in children.
More than 2,800,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in North Carolina, according to the NCDHHS.
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