The federal government has expanded use of the Pfizer vaccine to those between the ages of 12 and 15, finding that the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any potential negative consequences.
The Food and Drug Administration studied 2,260 young people between 12 and 15 for two months after receiving two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, finding that the participants experienced side effects similar to those over 16. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain.
Pfizer, one of three available vaccines, requires two doses, with doses spaced three weeks apart.
Long Beach officials did not immediately say when they would begin vaccinating those between 12 and 15, though officials said in late April they are partnering with the Long Beach Unified District to set up mobile clinics on school campuses in hopes of reaching a younger population.
“We want to make sure that we’re prepared for parents who want to have their kids vaccinated, that they have that option in their schools,” Mayor Robert Garcia said at a media briefing on April 28.