Pfizer Vaccine Authorized for Ages 12 - 15

State Health Advisory Supplement

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized for Ages 12-15

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Supplemental Advisory #12.9

Wyoming Department of Health

May 12, 2021

Pfizer Vaccine Authorized for Children Aged 12-15 Years

On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include individuals aged 12 years and older. On May 12, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine be offered to individuals aged 12 to 15 years. The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved the ACIP recommendation.

Wyoming providers may offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to individuals aged 12-15 years

effective immediately, in addition to individuals aged 16 years and older who were previously

eligible.

The vaccine dose for individuals aged 12-15 years is the same as for individuals aged 16 years and older. The clinical considerations for administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to

individuals aged 12-15 years are generally consistent with those for individuals aged 16 and

older, with some additional considerations as described below. Detailed clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html.

Though syncope was not reported in the clinical trials, syncope in adolescents has been reported with other vaccines. Patients should be seated or lying down when receiving vaccines, and they should be observed for 15 minutes or 30 minutes after administration depending on allergy history.

Providers can consider delaying vaccination for 90 days for individuals who have been

diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Further details and

factors to consider will become available within the next several days.

The FDA fact sheet for healthcare providers for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download

The FDA fact sheet for patients and caregivers can be found here:

https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download

Additional written updated recommendations from the CDC and ACIP are expected to be

available within the next several days.

Coadministration of COVID-19 Vaccines with Other Vaccines

On May 12, 2021, the CDC also changed recommendations relating to the

coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines. All COVID-19 vaccines

may now be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines in all age groups

eligible for vaccination; a 14-day period before or after COVID-19 vaccine

administration is no longer required. Providers should consider the reactogenicity profile

of vaccines as well as whether the patient is behind or at risk of becoming behind on their

routine vaccinations when deciding whether to co-administer vaccines.