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Are you 16 or 17? You’ll soon be eligible for Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine.

It’s the only one approved for people under 18.
 
Allison Oler, 17, receives a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday in Sandy, Utah.
Allison Oler, 17, receives a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday in Sandy, Utah. [ RICK BOWMER | AP ]
Published March 26, 2021|Updated March 26, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that the state will lower the age for coronavirus vaccination to 18 on April 5. But that’s not quite right, a spokeswoman in his office later clarified.

The state will also allow 16 and 17 year olds to be vaccinated — but only with the drug produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, which has been approved for people of those ages.

The vaccines produced by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have not been approved for anyone under 18, though both companies are conducting trials on coronavirus vaccines for children.

Some distribution sites, like Publix, make clear which vaccines they have available. But others don’t. It’s important that people who are 16 and 17 contact sites before booking an appointment to ensure they’ll be able to get a shot.

Floridians 18 and older will be eligible for any of the three coronavirus vaccines starting April 5, a week after the state drops the eligibility age to 40 starting Monday.

Check the Tampa Bay Timesvaccine guide to find places offering doses in the Tampa Bay region. And if you have general questions about the drugs, visit our vaccines Q&A.

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