Will County says it expects to open its COVID-19 vaccine clinics to those age 12-15 on Thursday after Pfizer shot OK’d by regulators

The Will County Health Department announced it will offer the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children age 12 to 15 at its clinics beginning today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of Pfizer’s vaccine for children in that age group on Monday.

The county health department asked residents in a Facebook post to book appointments at county-run sites in anticipation that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will also recommend the use of the vaccine in children as young as 12.

Residents can check appointment availability at one of the county’s multiple clinics at willcountyhealth.org. The county runs clinics in Joliet, Wilmington and Monee.

The expansion of eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine comes as Will County has vaccinated one-third of its total population of over 690,000 residents, though until this week, that only included residents age 16 and older. In total, more than 526,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Will County, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Separately, the Will County Health Department also announced a special walk-in vaccination event for the public on Saturday in Joliet.

The event will take place at St. Peter Lutheran Church, located at 310 N. Broadway St. in Joliet, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The one-day vaccination event is being organized in collaboration with the Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships. The Moderna vaccine will be offered at the event.