"We're all ready to get it," exclaimed 15-year-old Noah Handy, who was hanging out with friends in a grocery store parking lot. The high school freshman is ready to expand his social life and says he wants the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible.
[Ads /]
"I've been locked up for a year and I'm excited to get things going again," said Handy.
RELATED: FDA grants emergency use authorization for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12-15
Kate Larsen: "Is there anything you're looking forward to this summer once you and your friends are vaccinated?
Noah Handy: "Going to the city more often!"
On Wednesday, the CDC's Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will discuss the new age group authorization and the Western States Scientific Advisory Group will vote to give final approval for use in California, meaning 12-15 year-olds could get vaccinated as soon as Thursday.
VIDEO: Everything to know about your 2nd Pfizer or Moderna shot
Growing concerns some people aren't returning for 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose
In Marin County, there are 14,000 12 to 15 year-olds. The Marin County Public Health Department has set a goal of vaccinating half those students within a week of access. To accomplish that, Marin County public schools have set up 10 mobile vaccination clinics on school campuses.
[Ads /]
"They'll get their first shot and second shot before our school year ends," said Marin County Superintendent of Schools, Mary Jane Burke, who has been planning the vaccine clinics for weeks. "It just takes everybody working together, so we're very excited."
The County is ready, but what about Marin families?
"There are some parents that are ready to go, some that are not quite ready, and some that are wary. I think we're going to see the same sort of trajectory that we saw with the adults," explained Burke.
VACCINE TRACKER: Here's how CA is doing, when you can get a coronavirus vaccine
San Rafael mom, Kim Schulist, supports the campus vaccine clinics. "They're making it accessible so the kids can get here."
Her 16-year-old son is already vaccinated; he had mild side effects after the injections. But S chulist is a bit more cautious when it comes to her 14-year-old.
[Ads /]
"I don't know that I want him the first week to get vaccinated, but he will get vaccinated within the next three or four weeks."
Marin's upcoming campus vaccine clinics are expected to be open for all 12-18 year olds. This applies to students at public, parochial, and private schools in Marin, even if the student is a resident of another county.
On Tuesday, Marin County is holding a virtual town hall from 6-7:30 p.m. for parents, guardians, and the school community to learn about the safety, efficacy, and possible side effects of the vaccine in teens. The speakers will include Dr. Matt Willis, Public Health Officer, Marin Health and Human Services, Dr. Lisa Santora, Deputy Public Health Officer, Marin Health and Human Services, Dr. Shilpa Marwaha, Kaiser Permanente, Infectious Diseases, Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.
- May 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tomales HS (+Tomales Elmentary, West Marin
- May 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at San Rafael HS & Madrone HS
- May 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Miller Creek Middle Schools
- May 17, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at Davidson
- May 17, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at San Jose Middle School (Curative POD)
- May 18, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at MCS/ Phoenix/ Special Education (Sensory)
- May 19, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at Venetia Valley
- May 20, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. includes Bayside MLK & Willow Creek (at Bayside)
- May 21, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at Hamilton
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Map shows which counties can, can't reopen under reopening tiers
- Cheat sheet: What you can and can't do after being fully vaccinated
- How to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in every Bay Area county
- Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area
- Interactive map shows what's closed and what's reopening in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Data tracker: Coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations in every Bay Area county
- Third stimulus check calculator: See how much you could get
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during pandemic
- Get the latest updates on California EDD, stimulus checks, unemployment benefits
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic