On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey announced Alabama is expanding COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to include individuals age 12 and older, effective immediately. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in adolescents on Monday.
The Center for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky stated, “The CDC now recommends the vaccine be used among this population, and providers may begin vaccinating them right away.”
Ivey commented, “This is great and welcome news that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will now be available for Alabamians 12 and up, offering another option for families in our state as we get back into full gear. We have seen good success so far with these safe and effective vaccines, and I encourage parents and children to consult with your pediatrician if you have any questions. The vaccine is our ticket back to normal, and I continue to feel optimistic and hopeful in the positive direction we are moving in as a state.”
The Pfizer vaccine is available to individuals age 12 and up. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to individuals 18 years of age and older.
On Twitter, Ivey stated, “Alabama is expanding #COVID19 vaccination eligibility to include individuals age 12 & older, effective immediately. This is great news! Folks, the vaccine is our ticket back to normal.”
Alabama is expanding #COVID19 vaccination eligibility to include individuals age 12 & older, effective immediately. This is great news!
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) May 13, 2021
Folks, the vaccine is our ticket back to normal. #alpolitics @ALPublicHealth https://t.co/tJenuuoqGn
“We encourage the vaccination of adolescents ages 12 and older to get the protection offered by the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris stated. “This vaccine will be available at private providers and other sites which have Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available.”
As of May 12, 2,722,909 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.
