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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Floridians 16 to 21 years of age with medical conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 can enroll to receive vaccines at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital starting next week, the Miami facility announced Friday. Dade.
Doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available to people of this age who are currently under the care of physicians or specialists for medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as a higher risk of developing diseases associated with COVID-19, ”Nicklaus said in a press release.
Appointment requests can be sent to Nicklauschildrens.org/Covid19Vaccine starting Monday, March 8th.
Applicants must provide the Florida COVID-19 Extreme Vulnerability Determination Form completed by their physician.
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The hospital says it has already vaccinated 500 eligible patients “by spreading to other hospitals and health systems in the area, pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists in Florida, which resulted in hundreds of referrals for vaccine appointments.”
Dr. Marcos Mestre, Nicklaus’ chief physician, says that of the more than 700 doses given to these patients, “we have not seen any complications.”
The extension to allow online enrollment from the public comes after the hospital recently received an additional allocation of Pfizer catches.
“While most children are only slightly affected by COVID-19, those with complex conditions may be at risk for serious illness if they contract the virus,” said Nicklaus ’president and chief executive of the child health system. , Matthew A. Love, in a statement. “We are honored to be able to offer the vaccine to support the care of vulnerable children in Florida.”
Risk-increasing conditions identified by the CDC include asthma (moderate to severe), cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes (type 1 or 2), Down syndrome, heart disease, hypertension. , immunocompromised conditions, liver disease, neurological conditions, obesity, pulmonary fibrosis, sickle cell disease or thalassemia.
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Diego Diaz, 18, has cystic fibrosis and just got his second dose earlier this week through Nicklaus.
“More than grateful,” he said. “I hope other hospitals take note and start doing the same, because I really think we should prioritize not just a certain age group, but a demographic group that is mostly at risk.”
Diaz added: “It’s always worrying that maybe there’s someone next to you who has it, maybe someone you’re passing by may have COVID, so it’s always scary to go out on the street.”
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use by persons over 16 years of age. (Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are licensed for ages 18 and up.)
There is limited data on how the vaccine affects the pediatric population, but Mestre said studies are underway for patients aged 12 to 16 and “hopefully by the end of the year we will also have a vaccine available for them.” .
Pfizer and Moderna hope to begin studies on children 11 years of age or younger by the end of this year, as researchers will further examine whether the traits are safe for younger patients.
Announcements
For more information on the Nicklaus vaccination program, click here.
SEE ALSO: Which adults are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Florida
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