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The Wright Center for Community Health administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters for ages 12 to 15
The Wright Center for Community Health is accepting appointments for 12- to-15-year-olds to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech third-dose booster shot at community practices in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties after U.S. health authorities gave emergency authorization for the third dose on Jan. 5.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have authorized anyone who is 12 or older to receive the Pfizer booster shot five months after receiving their primary two-dose series. The recent decision also reduced the time between Pfizer’s primary vaccine and booster from six to five months.
The newly approved booster offers the same dosage as the primary vaccine. “As the omicron variant continues to spread, it is important to remember that vaccination against COVID-19 is the best way to ward off infection and defend against serious illness and hospitalization. The vaccines and their boosters have proven to be safe and effective against this pandemic,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, chief medical officer of The Wright Center for Community Health
In addition, the FDA and CDC also approved an additional primary dose of Pfizer’s vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, with immune deficiencies, as long as it is 28 days after the second shot.
In December, the Pfizer third-dose booster shot was approved for 16- and 17-year-olds and the kid-sized dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 was approved in November. Both series of vaccinations are now available at The Wright Center for Community Health for children who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Vaccination appointments are being accepted at the following community clinics:
- Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn: 570.230.0019
- Children’s Service Center Practice, 335 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre: 570.591.5283
- Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton: 570.941.0630
Patients can also visit TheWrightCenter.org to make an appointment online.
The Wright Center for Community Health is also administering booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for all adults. The guidance has not changed for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Anyone 18 and older who received their Moderna primary vaccine series at least six months ago or received a Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago is eligible.
Appointments for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines also are being accepted at select Wright Center community clinics. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570.343.2383 to schedule an appointment for the primary vaccine series or booster series.
