Fda expected to authorize Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12 to 15

“He has cabin fever and he wants to get out,” explained Rodrigues, who lives near Boston.

The group’s newly released survey from April of 1,151 parents around the country found that others are also conflicted. Forty percent planned to get their children vaccinated immediately, 22% eventually and 23% never, and the remaining 15% were unsure.

“Obviously parents are torn right now because you are watching your kids really go through an emotional struggle, especially our teens,” she said. “I think we are all taking a leap of faith, but I think what we have to do is trust science in this moment.”

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that if the FDA authorizes the use of Pfizer’s vaccine in children as young as 12, the administration is prepared to ship doses to 20,000 pharmacies around the country and directly to pediatricians.

Coy Marquardt, associate executive director of Iowa’s teachers union, said his 14-year-old son is excited to get vaccinated and has been asking for months when he would be eligible. Marquardt said that because of vaccine hesitancy, it doesn’t look as if herd immunity is going to be achieved anytime soon.

“That makes it even more important to expand the use to 12- to 15-year-olds, including my son, just to protect him,” he said.

Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association, which accredits 3,200 camps and works with about 12,000 others, said he has ben deluged with messages since the news broke.

Last year, 40% of day camps and 82% of overnight camps didn’t operate, but many were gearing up to reopen this summer, with masks and socially distancing, he said. He said the vaccine would offer another layer of protection and might persuade some hesitant parents to sign up their children.

“It could be a game changer,” said Rosenberg, who plans to get his own 13-year-old vaccinated.