Nicklaus Children’s Hospital offers COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers, young adults

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. Floridians between the ages of 16-21 with medical conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 could report from next week to get vaccinations at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the Miami-Dade plant announced Friday.

Doses of the Pfizer vaccine are available for people of that age who are currently in the care of doctors or specialists for medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as an increased risk of serious illnesses COVID-19. , “Nicklaus said in a news release.

Appointment requests can be submitted from Monday, March 8 at Nicklauschildrens.org/Covid19Vaccine.

Candidates must provide the Florida COVID-19 Determination of Extremely Vulnerable Form completed by their physician.

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The hospital said it has already vaccinated 500 eligible patients “through outreach to other hospitals and health systems, pediatricians and pediatric specialists in Florida, which has led to hundreds of referrals for vaccine appointments.”

Dr Marcos Mestre, Nicklaus’ chief medical officer, says that of the 700+ doses they gave to the patients, “no complications were seen.”

The expansion to enable online sign-ups from the public comes after the hospital recently received an extra award from the Pfizer shots.

“Although most children are only slightly affected by COVID-19, those with complex conditions may be at risk of developing serious diseases if they contract the virus,” said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. said in a statement. “We are delighted to be able to offer the vaccine to support the care of vulnerable children in Florida.”

Conditions that increase the risk, as 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, immune conditions , liver disease, neurological conditions, obesity, pulmonary fibrosis, sickle cell disease or thalassemia.

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Diego Diaz, 18, has cystic fibrosis and was just given his second dose earlier this week by Nicklaus.

“More than grateful,” he said. “I hope other hospitals take notice and start doing the same, because I really think we should not only prioritize a certain age group, but also a demographic that is mostly at risk.”

Diaz added: “It’s always a concern that there might be someone next to you who has it, maybe someone you pass by will have COVID, so it’s always scary to go outside.”

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use by people 16 years and older. (Modern and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are allowed for 18+.)

There is limited information 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.”

Pfizer and Moderna expect to start with children 11 years and younger later this year, as researchers investigate further whether the shots are safe for younger patients.

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For more information on Nicklaus’ vaccination program, click here.

SEE ALSO: Which adults are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Florida