Time for teenagers: DeKalb County youth receive Pfizer vaccines at Thursday clinic

DeKALB – On Thursday afternoon, 12-year-old Henry Williams of Sycamore received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. He compared the shot to a bee sting or getting hit with a NERF gun dart.

“My parents already received their first shot, so I’m all for it,” Williams said.

Williams received his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine, the only one approved so far for use in those as young as 12, at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center through the DeKalb County Health Department.

Williams is still remote learning, but he participates in track at school. Williams’ father, Noel Williams, said that having a track teammate test positive for COVID-19 was an eye-opening experience.

“We wear masks and social distance, so it was a little nerve-wracking for [my son] to be in close contact with someone that tested positive,” Noel Williams said. “I know we’re all excited for things to go back to normal and for school in the fall.”

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Maia Clapp, 13, from DeKalb, gets some support from their mother Laura Duhau as they receive their first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine Thursday afternoon during a clinic at the Convocation Center at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. (Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com/Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.co)

On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The FDA amended the EUA originally issued on Dec. 11, 2020 for administration in individuals 16 years of age and older.

The DeKalb County Health Department will hold another Pfizer vaccine clinic from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Sycamore High School Field House. The vaccine clinic will focus on youth ages 12 to 17, but will be open to anyone age 12 and older, with walk-ins accepted and appointments strongly encouraged. All clinics are free, welcome walk-ins and also appointments. Teens under 18 wishing to get the Pfizer vaccine must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. For more information, visit the health department’s website.

According to Cindy Graves, a nurse and the operations chief of DeKalb County vaccine clinics for the DeKalb County Health Department, local clinics began administering the vaccine to children ages 12 to 15 last Thursday, May 13.

“A lot of kids came to get the shot after school that day,” Graves said. “The more kids get the vaccine, the more they can go to school and participate in normal activities, like extracurriculars, and take vacations.”

DeKalb County health officials said that children ages 12 to 15 account for the majority of local vaccination demand in recent days. Local demand for the vaccine has also dwindled, prompting health officials to transition to an “order as needed” model instead of set weekly shipments.

Gialan Zuniga of DeKalb, 12, received his first vaccination shot Thursday at the Convo as well. Zuniga, who is also remote learning, said that when he’s completely vaccinated, he looks forward to spending time with friends, playing basketball and gym class.

“I was worried about him getting COVID through school,” his mother, Latrice Zuniga said. “I’m looking forward to him going back to school and having a normal life.”

Brennan Piquett of DeKalb, 15, said that he received his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine “to be safe and smart about it rather than sorry.” Piquett is applying for jobs and looks forward to working this summer.

“I want to get a job, hang out with friends, have family and loved ones over and not wear a mask,” Piquett said.

Piquett said that “receiving the vaccine couldn’t have been easier.”

“It was quick and painless, and it only took a second,” he said. “I recommend it to everyone. They shouldn’t be scared or nervous.”

Maia Clapp of DeKalb, 13, who prefers the gender-neutral pronoun they or them, was excited to get their first shot, saying they’re “tired of COVID, and if there’s a vaccine, I’m going to get it.”

“I’m looking forward to being able to walk around without a mask, and not being able to be around others has been a little weird,” they said.

Laura Duhau, Clapp’s mother, said that she is looking forward to not worrying.

“I want to not worry about getting sick,” Duhau said. “I look forward to doing the normal things we used to do, without worrying about the pandemic.”

However, Duhau said that her family will remain diligent about wearing masks because she also has a 9-year-old son who cannot receive the vaccine yet.

“It’s important to continue to be cautious,” she said. “The virus is still here, even though many of us have been vaccinated.”