RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Riverside County is taking a giant step toward herd immunity from the COVID-19 virus.

The age requirement for the Pfizer vaccine dropped to 16 at the four county-run immunization clinics.

Hundreds of thousands more are now eligible to be protected against the coronavirus.

Teens aged 16 and 17 must get an appointment and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to get vaccinated. Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are available to those who are 18 years and older.

More cases of COVID-19 are being detected in the county’s younger population. “Bringing the vaccine to a younger population is a big step forward,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside University Health System-Public Health.

The county-run clinics are located at the Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Recreation Center in Beaumont, Heritage High School in Menifee, Tahquitz High School in Hemet and the Moreno Valley Mall. There are also clinics at six community health centers operated by Riverside University Health System that are allowing those 16 and older to be vaccinated.

More than one million vaccinations – both first and second doses -- have been administered to Riverside County residents.

Appointments are at www.rivcoph.org/covid-19-vaccine.

Story Date: April 14, 2021