News & Announcements Home
The original item was published from 5/13/2021 8:58:00 AM to 1/1/2022 12:00:05 AM.

News & Announcements

Health & Human Services

Posted on: May 13, 2021

[ARCHIVED] Loudoun County to Begin Vaccinating Adolescents Ages 12-15; Streamlines Appointment-Making Process

Link to information about COVID-19 vaccinations

The Loudoun County Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment to adolescents ages 12 to 15 on Thursday, May 13, 2021, following approval by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Vaccinations are free of charge for everyone regardless of immigration or health insurance status.

“The safety of people who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be our highest priority,” said Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend. “Our nation’s top public health experts have carefully evaluated the data and we have great confidence in the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine for everyone age 12 years and older. I encourage parents to get their kids vaccinated as soon as possible because vaccinating this age group is another important step toward getting back to normal.”

The VDH approval for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals in this age group follows endorsements by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

How to Make an Appointment

The Loudoun County Health Department has streamlined the appointment-making process to make it easier for parents and others to schedule their own appointments online in one single step. Residents may now make appointments in real time without first registering in the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). The system no longer requires users to wait for an email that prompts them to schedule an appointment.

To schedule an appointment for your child or yourself, simply visit Loudoun County’s website: loudoun.gov/COVID19vaccine and then click on “Schedule A Vaccine Appointment” and follow the “Step 1” instructions. On the VAMS appointment page, submit a request for an appointment by following the prompts in the online form. 

Anyone who needs assistance making an appointment, such as those who do not have access to the internet, should call the COVID-19 Information Line at 703-737-8300 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Individuals ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The vaccination site continues to operate by appointment only. All individuals who would like to be vaccinated must have an appointment. 

Other Vaccination Opportunities

Other vaccine providers in Loudoun County, such as retail pharmacies, may also begin to offer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 to 15. These providers operate independently of Loudoun County. Visit vaccines.gov to find other COVID-19 vaccine providers in our community. 

Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be safe and effective. New vaccines are typically studied in adults first, and then gradually include younger age groups. This is a standardized process intended to study a new vaccine in the safest way possible. Pfizer-BioNTech’s request to expand use of the vaccine to 12- to-15-year-olds is based on data from a clinical trial of 2,260 adolescents that showed that the vaccine was safe and effective in this age group.

Learn more about the safety of COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC’s website.

Requesting a Vaccination Record

It is important that parents and everyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine keep the vaccination card received at the time of vaccination. The Loudoun County Health Department does not provide vaccination records. If you lose the vaccination card and need a record of your vaccination, individuals who created VAMS accounts may obtain a copy of your record in the VAMS system by logging into your account at vams.cdc.gov. In addition, you can contact VDH for a record by submitting a request form online.

After Vaccination

The CDC has published guidance for fully vaccinated people; however, the CDC also recommends that even people who are fully vaccinated keep taking precautions in public places. The Loudoun County Health Department encourages Loudoun residents who received a COVID-19 vaccine to continue taking the steps that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:

  • Avoid crowds of people.
  • Stay 6 feet away from others who do not live in your household at all times until the CDC and VDH change these recommendations.
  • Wear a face covering when in public to protect yourself and others until the governor’s office lifts this requirement. 
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Avoid non-essential travel, particularly with unvaccinated people who do not live in your household.
  • Avoid visiting unvaccinated people who are at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.

Learn more about how to protect yourself and others on the CDC’s website.

COVID-19 Testing

Loudoun County continues to offer free COVID-19 testing weekly. More information about COVID-19 testing opportunities is posted online at loudoun.gov/covid19testing

Stay Informed

Loudoun County encourages residents to stay informed about COVID-19.

  • Visit loudoun.gov/coronavirus for more information about how to protect yourself and your family and to sign up for email and text updates on COVID-19.
  • Opt in to receive text messages:
    • English: Text LCCOVID19 to 888777
    • Spanish: Text LCCOVIDESP to 88877
  • Follow the Loudoun County Government Facebook page and @LoudounCoGovt on Twitter.

Residents with questions about COVID-19 may call the Loudoun County Health Department’s information line, 703-737-8300, or send an email

# # #

Facebook Twitter Email