[Experience] US Youth Vaccination Begins... Surprised by the 'Crazy Speed'

CDC Recommends Vaccination for Adolescents Aged 12-15, Leading to Eased Appointment Restrictions
Successful Vaccination Achieved by Visiting Pharmacy Without Appointment
Attempt to Achieve Herd Immunity Through Adolescent Vaccination Despite Being Adult

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided on the afternoon of the 12th (local time) to recommend Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for adolescents aged 12 to 15. The reporter's 12-year-old son received his first vaccine dose that day at a nearby pharmacy. The time from the CDC's approval recommendation to vaccination was 2 hours and 30 minutes.

A reporter's 12-year-old son is receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Although the U.S. authorities announced vaccinations would start on the 13th, immediately after the CDC's decision, the major pharmacy chain CVS lowered the vaccine administration age limit from 16 to 12 years old. CVS had already announced that it would begin vaccinating adolescents immediately upon the CDC's decision.

I immediately tried to make a vaccination appointment for my 12-year-old son. Coincidentally, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also announced that adolescent vaccinations would begin on the 13th.

About two hours after the CDC's announcement, around 5:30 p.m., I failed to make a vaccination appointment. The situation had changed from when vaccine recipients were decreasing and appointments could be made at convenient times.

I recalled that vaccinations could be administered immediately at hospitals or pharmacies even without an appointment.

I rushed to a nearby pharmacy.

Arriving at the pharmacy at 5:45 p.m., I asked the pharmacist if vaccination was possible without an appointment.

"You're lucky. There's exactly one shot left," was the reply. The vaccine that was about to be discarded found a recipient. I felt relieved and presented my son's passport.

Unlike online, I was worried that vaccination for 12-year-olds might be refused on-site. Considering the usual slow U.S. bureaucracy, I thought that could happen.

It was unexpected. The pharmacist began processing the paperwork. He explained, "The guideline allowing vaccinations from age 12 was issued just an hour ago." The pharmacist predicted, "Probably from tomorrow, parents bringing their children will line up."

The pharmacist wrote the Pfizer vaccine serial number and the first dose date on the CDC vaccination card. As usual, only identity was verified through the passport; residency status was not checked. Although proof of address is originally required for vaccination, finding a vaccination site that actually checks this is rather difficult.

Recently, New York City has set up vaccination sites at Manhattan's Times Square and major subway stations, administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines to tourists as well. They are also running events offering a free one-week subway pass with free vaccinations. At the New York Yankees baseball games, those vaccinated receive free admission to the next game. New York State has also decided on free vaccination and free game viewing events at the temporary home stadium in Buffalo for the Toronto Blue Jays, where Ryu Hyun-jin plays.

After completing all registration procedures, I sat at a temporary vaccination site next to the pharmacy counter. An Arab pharmacist wearing a hijab confirmed identity and administered the last prepared injection of the day into my son's arm.

My son said, "I was a bit nervous, but it was over in an instant." The pharmacist advised sitting for 10 minutes. When I had my first dose a month ago, the wait was 15 minutes, so it was reduced by 5 minutes.

It took about 2 hours and 30 minutes from the CDC's vaccination recommendation decision to completing the vaccination. It was a 'crazy speed' that cannot be expected from U.S. administration. This confirmed that the usually slow U.S. bureaucracy is an exception when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations.

After finishing the vaccination and holding my son's hand on the way home, the sunset over the Hudson River was more vividly red than ever before.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.