13 May Ballad Health Vaccination Centers providing vaccines for children 12-15
All Ballad Health community vaccination centers (CVCs) will open Thursday, May 13, for patients 12 years and older. Walk-ins are accepted, and community members can also schedule appointments to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’ve been energized and encouraged by the level of interest from our community members about these vaccines for children ages 12-15,” said Jamie Swift, Ballad Health’s chief infection prevention officer. “We’ve seen, from the shots we’ve provided to people age 16 and older so far, that these vaccines are safe and effective, and so we’re excited to be able to offer them to more of our community members.”
Swift noted that those aged 12-15 years are crucial in the health system’s effort to establish herd immunity. According to Swift, COVID-19 cases among children and teenagers ages 10-19 represent the highest percentage of new cases in the region.
These new cases among school-aged children continue to increase and linger above the region’s previous baseline.
Those getting vaccinated must bring a photo ID, and second doses will be scheduled when patients check in.
Those between 12-17 years old must have a parent or guardian present.
Ballad Health has provided more than 42,000 first-dose and 40,000 second-dose vaccines to eligible people in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region.