Vaccinations Recommended Before Fairfax School Year For 12 And Up

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department is urging families to get students 12 and older vaccinated for COVID-19 in time for the new school year.

While anyone 12 and up can get a COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is currently the only vaccine with emergency use authorization for ages 12 to 17. The health department noted that while less children get infected with COVID-19 than adults, children can sometimes get infected, get sick or spread the virus to others.

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses taken 21 days apart. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose. In time for the first day of school of Aug. 23 for Fairfax County Public Schools, the health department recommends getting the first dose by July 19. With that first dose date, individuals would be considered fully vaccinated on Aug. 23.

The COVID-19 vaccine isn't one of the required immunizations to attend FCPS, but families can talk to their child's health care provider to get the COVID-19 vaccine with others during the same visit.

There are a variety of places to get the vaccine, from the health department and health care providers to pharmacies and grocery stores. Providers can be found at vaccines.gov. Minors require parent or guardian consent to receive a vaccine.

The health department has scheduled vaccination clinics for ages 12 and up at several high schools:

• Tuesday, July 13, 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Herndon Elementary School, 630 Dranesville Rd., Herndon, VA 20170
• Wednesday, July 14, 2 p.m.-7 p.m., Justice High School, 3301 Peace Valley Ln., Falls Church, VA 22044
• Thursday, July 15, 2 p.m.-7 p.m., Liberty Middle School, 6801 Union Mill Rd., Clifton, VA 20124

Appointments may be made through the Vaccine Administration Management System. Walk-ups will also be accepted.

What to know about heart inflammation reports after vaccination

The health department also addressed concerns of heart inflammation in adolescents and young adults after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been over 1,000 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis since April with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of having a fast beating, fluttering or pounding heart. The CDC says cases are rare among millions of vaccine doses given and mostly have happened to male adolescents and young adults 16 years or older. Most patients who received treatment felt better, according to the CDC.

"CDC and its partners are actively monitoring these reports, by reviewing data and medical records to learn more about what happened and to understand any relationship to COVID-19 vaccination," the CDC website states.

Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, the health department's director of epidemiology and population health, said myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) can be caused by various infections, including the flu. Myocarditis often results in hospitalization as the patient requires care and rest.

"It's also important to know that people who suffered myocarditis largely recovered from this condition," said Schwartz in a video message.

A CDC review of 29 confirmed myocarditis cases found 22 required hospitalization. Half of these were in the hospital for one day, and all have been sent home.

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 and older due to benefits of vaccination outweighing risks, including possible myocarditis or pericarditis.

"If you are concerned, please talk to your doctor or call our call center, and a member of our team can help you," said Schwartz.

The health department's call center can be reached at 703-324-7404.