PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is urging all students over the age of 12 to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine before school starts in September.
Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley said the shots will not be mandatory but are strongly recommended.
“This vaccine has been tested in children and found to have no adverse effects whatsoever,” he said. “Actually, the children had a better response to the vaccine than adults. They were almost 100% protected.”
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Farley said the city is now figuring out how to get the vaccine distributed to pediatric providers in addition to the current vaccination sites.
"Vaccines for these children will be offered at existing sites — hospitals, pharmacies and clinics," said Farley.
"In addition, we will be enrolling pediatric providers."
Farley said more than a quarter million Philadelphia adults are now fully vaccinated. That’s more than a third of adults. Another half a million have gotten at least one dose.
With the demand for vaccines plunging, Farley said the large-volume FEMA clinic will close on May 25 after it finishes administering second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
For the last two weeks that it’s open, it will also administer the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Farley said new COVID-19 cases are falling, indicating the most recent wave of infections is over. However, he warns the virus is still active, so everyone should get vaccinated and continue wearing masks.
"We are still vulnerable to future waves of this epidemic," he said. "I don’t want to see anyone die unnecessarily."