Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 12 to 15 at several locations, including select Longs Drugs pharmacies, Blaisdell Center, and the Pier 2 Vaccination Center, following clearance from federal authorities.

The Hawaii Department of Health said today it was pleased to learn the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that 12- to 15-year-olds receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine after receiving emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration.

“This vaccine is safe and very effective, especially in this age group.” said DOH Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char in a news release. “The vaccine offers another layer of protection and will help to lessen transmission and illness, which will protect young people, their parents and their grandparents. We are very excited this additional group can now be vaccinated.”

CVS Health said today it will begin taking COVID-19 vaccine appointments for the age group at 15 Longs Drugs pharmacies across Hawaii, with the first shots available on Thursday.

Patients are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at CVS.com or via the CVS Pharmacy app, which will only display appointments at locations that have the Pfizer vaccine, but walk-ins are also accepted.

Parental or legal guardian consent is required, CVS said, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Queen’s physician Dr. Julius Pham this morning brought his 12-year-old son, Everett, to get a COVID-19 vaccine at Blaisdell Center, which is now accepting appointments.

More than 70 parents and guardians made appointments to vaccinate their 12-to-15-year-olds at the Blaisdell today, according to Queen’s spokesman Sean Ibara.

Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital also vaccinated several in the age group today.

Hawaii Pacific Health is also accepting appointments for ages 12 and up at its Pier 2 Vaccination Center, open Mondays to Saturdays, as well as at Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai. The HPH COIVD-19 Vax Squad Bus, which is visiting various schools, is also accepting appointments for those ages 12 and up.

Pfizer is the only vaccine available for those ages 12 to 17, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments for ages 12 and up now available:

>> HPH Pier 2 Vaccination Center (at HawaiiPacificHealth.org/COVID19Vaccine). Walk-ins also accepted 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.

>> Blaisdell Vaccination Clinic (at Blaisdell Concert Hall) by The Queen’s Health Systems offers Pfizer vaccines Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Schedule an appointment at covid.queens.org/vaccine. Walk-ins also available from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

>> Adventist Health Castle, beginning Friday. Visit adventisthealth.org/castle/vaccine to make an appointment. Those being vaccinated must have turned 12 prior to their appointment.

>> Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu offers Pfizer vaccines. Schedule an appointment at covid.queens.org/vaccine.

>> Queen’s Mobile clinic at McKinley High School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday is open to the public, and to anyone 12 years and older. Pre-registration is recommended but not required.

>> Wilcox Medical Center, Kauai. Visit WilcoxHealth.org/Vaccine.

>> Lihue Safeway. Visit safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html

>> To find other options, visit hawaiicovid19.com.