Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Friday, those 12 or older will be able to get the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 at the Troup County Health Department at 900 Dallis Street, Suite A, according to Hayla Folden, media relations specialist of the Georgia Department of Public Health, District 4.

On the same day, the health department will be offering “all back-to-school vaccines.”

Those interested should call (706) 845-4085 to schedule an appointment.

This event will be the Troup County Health Department’s first time offering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 12 to 15, Folden said.

County Nurse Manager Leslie Leonard said the Troup County Health Department doesn’t typically carry the Pfizer vaccine because of storage issues.

Children ages 12 through 15 became eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine May 11, 2021 thanks to an FDA approved Emergency Use Authorization, according to Folden.

Those who don’t get an appointment at the health department may be able to have their children vaccinated elsewhere. While the DPH doesn’t have a list of places offering vaccines, Folden said every provider is required to enroll in vaccines.gov so that people can easily search for appointments for the types of COVID vaccines they prefer.

In LaGrange, sites offering the Pfizer vaccine include the Walgreens on 115 Vernon Street; Sick Clinic, Inc. at 301 Main Street; CVS Pharmacy at 300 Morgan Street; Walmart at 955 Lafayette Parkway; Publix at 139 Commerce

Avenue; Kroger Pharmacy at 203 Commerce Avenue, Suite A; Walmart at 803 New Franklin Road; CVS Pharmacy at 1802 Roanoke Road; and CVS Pharmacy at 1597 Hogansville Road, according to vaccines.gov. In Hogansville, the vaccine is being offered at Walgreens at 100 South Highway I 29, according to vaccines.gov.

Those interested in having their children vaccinated at these sites should first ask them if they’re vaccinating children.

Folden said it’s just as important for kids ages 12 through 15 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as it is for older people.

“I think now is a really good time for people who have children in this age group that want to be vaccinated or want their children to be vaccinated to get them vaccinated before they go to summer camp or do a tremendous amount of summer travelling…” Folden said.

“We would prefer for them to do that early rather than wait until right before school starts back. And now, kids can get their vaccines at the same time they get their other vaccines they need for school. So, there’s no longer a waiting period where, before, you had to wait two weeks in between a COVID vaccine and any other vaccine.

You no longer have to do that.”

A total of 24% of Troup County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.