County opens vaccinations for ages 12-15

First 500 youngsters to get shots receive free ice cream voucher

Youngsters between the ages of 12 and 15 were able to get COVID-19 vaccines at the Albany Capital Center on Thursday after the Pfizer vaccine received emergency federal approval to be used in that age group.

And one of those youngsters getting vaccinated was expected to be Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen’s nephew.

“I want to let you know that we have nurses and pharmacists administering the vaccine, and we have pediatricians that will be with us today,” Whalen said at a news conference Thursday before the clinic. “I will be down there as well and hopefully look forward to seeing you.”

Much like the incentives that are being offered in many places to convince adults to get vaccinated, Whalen said the first 500 youngsters who get shots through Albany County will get a voucher for free ice cream at Stewart’s Shops.

Whalen was joined by Albany County Executive Dan Mccoy on Thursday during his daily briefing, where they urged parents to consider getting their child inoculated.

Mccoy said youngsters must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will have to sign a consent form before the first dose will be administered.

The county executive said that people could sign up to get the vaccine by registering through a link on the county health department’s website, but that walk-ins were also being taken. As of 3 p.m. Thursday, there were many appointments available. The county had not scheduled its next future clinic yet as of Thursday afternoon.

The New York mass vaccination sites that also offer Pfizer vaccine, both at Crossgates Mall in the former Lord & Taylor and at Aviation Mall, are also now open to inoculating 12 to 15-year-olds, and have many appointments available by registering.

Mccoy encouraged apprehensive parents to do their own research online as well as speak to their child’s pediatrician. “Please help us to do the right thing and continue to go in the right direction,” said Mccoy, adding that the goal is to get youngsters fully back into summer camps and then school in the fall.

Whalen cheered the decision to open up vaccines to 12- to 15-year-olds as “a very big one and one that we are welcoming” and noted that the Pfizer vaccine that is approved for such use is 95 percent effective.

“So that means there is a strong protection against getting COVID disease, certainly against serious disease,” she added. “And it enables so much of what is essential and important in the lives of 12- to 15year-olds — being able to be in school consistently.”

To date, 56.9 percent of the population in Albany County has had their first shot, while 48.3 percent are fully vaccinated, Mccoy said.

Warren County Health Services said Thursday it plans to begin clinics in participating school districts soon. Parents who want their child to be vaccinated at a school clinic should return permission slips to school officials as soon as possible. Parents will be able to attend the clinic with their children.

Meanwhile, the Capital Region is still seeing deaths from the virus. On Thursday, Schenectady County announced a man in his 80s died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. It is the 156th death of a county resident since the pandemic started.