Free Vaccination Center for 12 to 17 Year Olds Set for May 20

Following the recent emergency use authorization (EUA) expansion by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Brookings County Pandemic Planning and Coordination Committee (PPCC) will hold a free, COVID-19 community vaccination center for adolescents ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 20. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. at Swiftel Center in Brookings.

“The pandemic has put a mental and emotional toll on our children, causing them to miss out on experiences and activities that are normal rites of passage,” said Dr. Shelby Eischens, M.D., family medicine physician at Avera Medical Group Brookings. “The science and data for the Pfizer vaccine shows it is safe to administer to children 12 to 15 years of age. Vaccinating our adolescents will protect them from COVID-19 and allow them to fully engage in school, sports, and other activities that are important to their health and social well-being.”

Both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of Pfizer’s vaccine for children 12 to 15 year olds. The South Dakota Department of Health estimates the FDA’s May 15 Pfizer EUA expansion opens up vaccination to approximately 1,544 12 to 15 years olds living in Brookings County.

500 Pfizer vaccines will be available at the vaccination center to adolescents only. Parents and guardians must register their child in advance; walk-ins will not be accepted. Parents and guardians must also commit their child to receiving a second dose on Wednesday, June 9.

At the time of appointment, children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are asked to bring a completed vaccine administration form for each child.

To register a child, parents may visit brookingshealth.org/Teen or call (605) 692-2811 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Individuals needing transportation to the community vaccination center may schedule a free ride in advance with Brookings Area Transit Authority (BATA) by calling (605) 692-2222.

About the Brookings County Pandemic Planning & Coordination Committee

The Brookings County Pandemic Planning & Coordination Committee (PPCC) is a partnership between Brookings Health System, Brookings County Emergency Management, the City of Brookings, the Brookings County Chapter of the Red Cross, South Dakota State University, Sanford Health Brookings Clinic, Avera Medical Group Brookings and the Swiftel Center. The PPCC focuses on community preparedness and response in cases of natural disasters, infectious diseases and terrorism. More information and resources can be found at bereadybrookings.com.