Brunswick County Health Services now vaccinating everyone 12 and up for COVID-19

BOLIVIA, N.C.— Community members aged 12 through 15  are now eligible to schedule and receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Brunswick County Health Services’ vaccine clinic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director issued their official recommendation Wednesday to begin offering and vaccinating 12- through 15-year-old adolescents with the Pfizer vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 through 15 Monday.

Beginning May 18, all vaccinations scheduled through Brunswick County Health Services will take place at the clinic at Brunswick Community College, 50 College Road NE in Bolivia (28422). If you have questions about your appointment, contact the Public Health Call Line at 910.253.2339.

Eligible individuals and/or parents/guardians (for those aged 12-15) can now schedule an appointment(s) online or by phone.

HERE’S HOW TO SCHEDULE A VACCINE APPOINTMENT(S) AT THE COUNTY’S CLINIC:

• Schedule online here
• Call the Public Health Call Line at 910.253.2339 and select option 2 (Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays)

This official CDC action opens vaccination to approximately 17 million adolescents in the United States and strengthens our nation’s efforts to protect even more people from the effects of COVID-19. Getting adolescents vaccinated means their faster return to social activities and can provide parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing their family is protected.

Individuals will be able to select which version of the vaccine they would like on the online scheduling tool or through the call line. Health Services is offering appointments for all versions of the vaccine, as supplies are available.

The Pfizer vaccine is now approved for those 12 and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines are approved for adults 18 and older. All vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19.

Health Services’ online scheduling system is operated through novelHealth. Individuals will create an account when they select an appointment slot to receive a confirmation and other notifications about their appointment(s). The online scheduling system is available in English and Spanish.

The scheduling site will also allow individuals to schedule an appointment for a second dose should they select either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Anyone who needs to speak with someone or who does not have access to a computer or Internet can call the Public Health Call Line for assistance with appointments. Health Services cannot schedule appointments in person at the Brunswick County Government Complex.

More information about additional opportunities to schedule vaccine appointments and answers to frequently asked questions are at brunswickcountync.gov/vaccines

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TO GET UP-TO-DATE ON VACCINATIONS?

There are a number of recommended vaccines children should receive, some of which are required as records for school enrollment. Learn more about recommended childhood immunizations and how to schedule an appointment at the Brunswick County Health Services Immunization Clinic at brunswickcountync.gov/immunizations

Brunswick County Health Services offers the following childhood vaccines:

• Tetanus/Diphtheria (Lockjaw)/Pertussis (Whooping Cough) [Tdap]
• Haemophilus Influenzae type B (major cause of Meningitis) [Hib]
• Polio [IPV]
• Hepatitis A [HepA]
• Hepatitis B [HepB]
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella [MMR]
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Pneumococcal [PCV]
• Flu