PHILADELPHIA – On Thursday, May 13, the Center City Vaccination Center (CCVC) will begin administering Pfizer dose 1 to Philadelphia adolescents ages 12-15. This decision was made by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health following the guidance of the CDC.
Operational changes have opened vaccine opportunities to younger people. COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to anyone who works, resides, or goes to school in Philadelphia. Immigration status is not a factor in vaccine eligibility. Adolescents ages 12-15 who wish to get vaccinated must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Proof of age is required to receive the vaccine. Acceptable forms of age identification include:
- Access school or health care portals via phone
- Copy of school or sports health forms
- Insurance Cards
- Passports
- Birth certificates or photos of their birth certificate
- Any other documents with the child's name and date of birth.
FEMA’s Center City Vaccination Center (CCVC), located at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will administer the Pfizer vaccine to those over the age of 12 and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those over the age of 18. This site accepts a mixture of appointments and walk-ups. Walk-ups are welcome from 8am-5pm. For more information on CCVC hours of operation, appointment information, and what to expect, please visit Phila.gov/ccvc.
FEMA’s Esperanza Community Vaccination Center (ECVC), located in Hunting Park in North Philadelphia, will continue administering Pfizer doses 1 and 2 to those ages 16 and above. ECVC will also continue to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those ages 18 and above. This site accepts a mixture of appointments and walk-ups. ECVC hours of operation vary and walk-ups end 1 hour prior to closing. For more information on ECVC hours, appointment information, and what to expect, please visit Phila.gov/ecvc.
The FEMA supported Center City Vaccination Center, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, opened on March 3, and has vaccinated more than 300,000 Philadelphians to date. Both the clinical and non-clinical staff at the CCVC are predominantly comprised of Marines and Sailors from the USMC’s Combat Logistics Battalion 22 supporting FEMA as part of the Army’s Joint Task Force Civil Support. The Pennsylvania National Guard has also supported the vaccination mission at the CCVC. Marines and Sailors have found it particularly symbolic helping vaccinate Philadelphia, as their service branches have long history in the City.
The FEMA supported ECVC opened on April 9th, and has vaccinated nearly 20,000 Philadelphians to date. Both the clinical and non-clinical support teams at the ECVC are predominantly Pennsylvania National Guard supporting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s vaccination mission.
Both the CCVC and ECVC will be mission accomplished, delivering their last shots in arms on May 25th, 2021. FEMA supported sites are slated to close due to the increase in Philadelphia’s vaccine allocation as well as the capability of city clinics to transition the missions from FEMA supported sites to city supported sites. Following May 25th, the City of Philadelphia will continue to run its many other vaccination clinics. As of today, there are more than 280 locations to receive a vaccine in Philadelphia. These sites include:
- Community Academy of Philadelphia AM, located at 1100 E. Erie Ave, Philadelphia PA, 19124
- MLK Older Adult Center, located at 2100 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia PA, 19121
- EOM Athletic Association AM, located at 144 Moore St, Philadelphia PA, 19148
FEMA continues to support the City of Philadelphia’s vaccination mission through targeting teen outreach. FEMA recently welcomed the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Philly Teen Vaxx program to tour its CCVC facility. See the teens’ experience on YouTube.
The Pfizer vaccine is clinically proven to prevent serious COVID-19 infection and helps to reduce spread of the virus. Previously, this vaccine was approved for people ages 16 and up. So far, more than 140 million doses of Pfizer vaccine have been administered in the United States. More than 800,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine have been administered in Philadelphia.
The Pfizer vaccine is approved for everyone who lives or works in Philadelphia over the age of 12; however, not all sites will vaccinate those under the age of 16. Philadelphians are encouraged to call ahead to make sure other city-managed sites have the Pfizer vaccine and are equipped to vaccinate your child. Philadelphians can find which vaccine is being used at City-managed sites and set up an appointment at phila.gov/vaccine. Additionally, community based clinics, health care providers, and pharmacy vaccination sites can be found at vaccines.gov.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
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