[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Children Ages 12-15; Vaccine Second Dose Update

­­For Immediate Release: May 11, 2021

Help end the pandemic by wearing a mask over both your nose and mouth, washing your hands frequently, and getting vaccinated. Approximately 1 in 20 Alexandrians who have tested positive for COVID-19 have required hospitalization, so without these critical steps, additional lives may be at risk.

FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Children Ages 12-15

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include ages 12 to 15. As the only vaccine authorized for those under 18, Pfizer’s EUA previously covered ages 16 and older.  The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) must receive additional federal approval before administering vaccines to youth in this age group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to meet on Wednesday, May 12 to discuss the FDA's action and make a recommendation to the CDC. Providers in Alexandria cannot begin offering the vaccine to those aged 12 to 15 without CDC approval. AHD has been planning for the expansion of vaccine availability to this age group, including coordination with schools and pediatricians. Learn more about vaccines and find vaccine clinics online at alexandriava.gov/Vaccines.

Vaccine Second Dose Update

When receiving a two-dose vaccine, such as Moderna or Pfizer, you will be contacted by the provider that administered the first dose to schedule your appointment for the second dose. The Virginia Department of Health recently announced that it is no longer mandatory to schedule the second dose with the original provider as long as the same vaccine type is administered. For those who received their first dose but have not scheduled an appointment for the second dose, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 800.VAX.IN.VA (800.829.4682) to make the second appointment. Be sure to bring your vaccination card to ensure that you receive the correct second dose.   

Alexandria COVID-19 Data At-a-Glance

The seven-day moving average chart below shows the number of COVID-19 cases and the daily and cumulative case and fatality counts, and provides detailed information about how preventive measures are impacting Alexandria's response to the pandemic. An interactive version is available at alexandriava.gov/114883. Vaccination charts include total doses administered across all facilities, the percentage of residents ages 16 and older who have been partially and fully vaccinated, and weekly doses administered. Vaccination charts are available with definitions and data source information at alexandriava.gov/120654. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, are available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus. 



Continue following measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 even after vaccination. Get tested if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you test positive, help loved ones and neighbors by informing your close contacts using “ What to Do If You Get Sick” guidance, which is available in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, and Farsi or this brief video.