Oregon approves COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12 and older

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kids 12 and older are now eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon and Washington state. The announcement by the Wester States Scientific Review occurred just hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accepted U.S. health advisors’ endorsement of the Pfizer vaccine for kids 12 and older. Oregon residents who are 16 and older have been eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine since April 19. Officials say that beginning Wednesday, kids who are 12 to 15 are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as well. Kids 12 to 14 years old must be accompanied by either a parent, a guardian or someone designated by the parent. Anyone 15 or older does not need to be accompanied or require parental consent in the state of Oregon.