As resources outpace demand, the COVID-19 vaccination rate has declined in the Quad Cities. But since the FDA granted the Pfizer vaccine emergency use authorization for kids aged 12 and up, there’s been an uptick in vaccinations.
Beau Dexter oversees Genesis Health System’s vaccination clinic in Davenport. He says on the first day Pfizer was offered to kids, the clinic doubled its daily vaccination rate.
“On Saturday, we saw a nice increase. We had a lot of pediatric patients within our vaccine clinic here. We were scheduled to do around 150, and we actually ended with a little over 300.”
Two of those teenagers rolling up their sleeves for the vaccine are Sydney and Mason, aged 15 and 14 respectively. They got their first dose of Pfizer yesterday, and they’re both looking forward to the day they won’t have to wear a mask.
“Definitely, not wearing masks,” Sydney says. “I want everyone to be safe, including my family and friends. I, myself, want to stay safe. So, that’s mainly the reason why I took the shot.”
“So, I wouldn’t have to wear a mask that much longer,” Mason says. “And know that I’m safe and will protect other people.”
Genesis Health System’s clinic will stay in operation at least through the summer, Dexter says. He expects the FDA to fully approve the COVID-19 vaccines — without the emergency use caveat — sometime this summer.
