Chickasaw Nation now offering Pfizer COVID19 vaccine for children ages 12 to 15

This article appeared in the June 2021 edition of the Chickasaw Times

The Chickasaw Nation is currently offering the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine at the Emergency Operations Facility in Ada and the health clinics in Ardmore and Purcell.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was formally approved for children ages 12-15 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration May 10, 2021.

This action amended the Emergency Use Authorization originally issued Dec. 11, 2020, for administration in individuals 16 years of age and older.

As a result, a broader range of individuals can obtain vaccination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with the help of the Chickasaw Nation.

Adolescents will receive the same vaccine and dosage given to adults.

Parents or legal guardians can schedule a vaccine appointment for their teen online at COVIDVaccine.Chickasaw.net.

All patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive the vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine is not available at the Tishomingo health clinic. Contact your child’s health care provider for more information.

For appointment registration assistance, parents or legal guardians can call (580) 272-1339.

About Chickasaw Nation vaccine distribution

The Chickasaw Nation continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines to everyone, regardless of tribal citizenship employment or state residency in its aggressive pursuit of putting an end to the pandemic.

Vaccines are available to the public at no cost. Vaccines are available by appointment only.

Appointment can be made online at COVIDVaccine.Chickasaw.net. Health insurance is not required to receive the vaccine, but can be submitted for billing purposes.

Individuals who have received their first vaccine dose with another health care organization are strongly encouraged to complete their second dose with the same organization.

Vaccine recipients must be at least 12 years old to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or 18 years old if receiving the Moderna vaccine or Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.

Those who have recently had COVID19 are encouraged to get the vaccine as soon as they recover. There is no waiting period unless the patient received treatment with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.

Those diagnosed with COVID19 must be out of quarantine or isolation before setting an appointment.

Vaccine appointments will be scheduled according to vaccine availability. If there is no availability, please revisit the registration link often and check for new appointment times and locations. New appointment times will be added weekly.

The Chickasaw Nation COVID19 Vaccine Call Center is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon at (580) 272-1339 to assist patients 65 and older and patients with no internet access. The call center is closed weekends and Chickasaw Nation holidays.

To keep patients and employees safe, the Chickasaw Nation COVID19 vaccination and testing drive-thru operations will be suspended in case of severe weather.

During severe weather threats, monitor conditions, closings and delays on Chickasaw.net, KCNP radio and tribal social media pages. Patients with vaccine appointments scheduled during severe weather operation suspensions will be contacted to reschedule as needed.