Pasadena to Begin Vaccinating Kids as Young as 12 Against COVID-19 on Friday

Pasadena Public Health Department officials said they would hold the department’s first vaccine clinic for recipients as young as 12 years old on Friday after federal and state officials approved the Pfizer formulation for adolescents earlier this week, officials said.

At least 60 kids are expected to be vaccinated at the clinic, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 75. N. Marengo Ave., city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

Parents were invited to reserve appointments for their children through the state vaccination website at myturn.ca.gov, which was set to begin accepting registrations for people as young as 12 on Thursday. A parent or guardian must accompany children to their appointments.

Meanwhile, health officials reported a single new detected case of COVID-19 in Pasadena on Wednesday, raising the pandemic total to 11,262.

With no new fatalities reported since April 30, Pasadena’s death toll remained stable at 346.

The average number of daily infections reported over the prior week stood at 3, according to PPHD records.

Officials at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena reported treating 11 COVID-19 patients on Wednesday, with four of them being treated in intensive care units.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced it would begin distributing vaccines to those as young as 12 on Thursday.

“All eight county run sites will be open tomorrow and able to vaccinate children 12-17,” the agency said in a written statement. “Teens should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult and present a photo ID and verification of age.”

Appointments could be made at www.VaccinateLACounty.com, and walk-ins were being welcomed at all eight county sites.

County health officials documented 322 new COVID-19 infections and 21 new deaths on Wednesday, raising the overall totals to 1,236,243 cases of the virus and 24,041 deaths.

Officials reported 379 COVID-19 patients were being treated at county hospitals, with 17% of them being treated in ICUs.

The expansion of vaccination to younger residents represented a significant step forward in the battle against the pandemic, L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer said.

“We are grateful to the scientists, clinicians, and the young people who participated in clinical trials that helped the FDA and the CDC determine that these vaccines are safe and effective for this age group,” she said.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is the most powerful tool available to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and prevent hospitalizations and deaths from the virus,” according to Ferrer. “Increasing the number of people vaccinated speeds up our recovery journey and allows us to safely participate in the summer activities we all love and miss.”

State public health officials announced 1,231 new infections and 59 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the statewide totals to 3,658,198 COVID-19 cases and 61,305 fatalities.

The state’s average positivity rate over the prior week was recorded at 1.1%, according to the California Department of Public Health.

As of Wednesday, L.A. County represented 34% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 39% of the state’s deaths.