On May 12, Wisconsin expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include adolescents age 12-15. This means, anyone age 12 and older can get protection against COVID-19 through vaccination. At this time, the Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine available for those ages 12-17. It requires two doses, separated by 21 days, for full protection. The Pfizer vaccine has gone through the same safety tests as all other vaccines authorized in the U.S. and is approved by Emergency Use Authorization.

 

To learn more, visit:

• For Ages 12 and Older: What Parents and Guardians Should Know (Q&A)

• COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Guardians (DHS)

• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens page (CDC)

• Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

 

We are working alongside our local healthcare partners to provide opportunities for this new age group to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please be patient. If you are looking for a location to get your child vaccinated, please consider the following:​

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• Many primary care offices will be reaching out to parents/guardians of their patients aged 12 and up. To avoid overwhelming office phone lines, we recommend visiting your provider's website for updated information about vaccination opportunities if you have not yet been contacted.

• A parent/guardian may need to be present at the time of the vaccination. When scheduling an appointment, we recommend asking what that location's policy is.

• Additional vaccination locations may be found at https://www.wcvaccine.org/vaccination-sites.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

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Q:  Is parental consent required for individuals under the age of 18 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin?

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A: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state laws establish vaccination requirements for school-aged children. In Wisconsin, the age of majority is 18 years of age, unless legally considered an adult by the courts (emancipated). Therefore all individuals under 18 years of age not legally considered an adult by the courts (unemancipated) require parent or guardian consent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

In Wisconsin, vaccinators are able to accept written or verbal (i.e., via telephone) consent to administer the COVID-19 vaccine from the minor’s legal parent or guardian who cannot be present at the time of vaccination. Vaccinators are not required to accept written or verbal consent but are permitted to accept these forms of consent should they choose to do so. WI DHS does not have a sample written consent form for vaccinators to use. Vaccinators are encouraged to work with their own legal counsel regarding methods of consent for vaccinating minors in their clinic.

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According to CDC and DHS guidance, adults and adolescents who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine after close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. That means that parents and guardians do not need to worry about their fully vaccinated children having to miss out on in-person school, after school activities such as sports, and other extracurricular activities after being exposed to COVID-19. 

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All students aged 12 years and older, including college students, are encouraged to begin their COVID-19 vaccination series as soon as possible. To be fully vaccinated by the start of the 2021-2022 school year (September 1st for public schools), you need to receive your first dose of the Pfizer vaccine no later than July 27th. However, if you are unable to start your series before July 27th, we encourage you to receive your vaccine as soon as you're able to help keep our students, faculty and staff protected and healthy throughout the school year. 

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