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With the number COVID-related illnesses among adults falling locally and across the state, health officials are looking at ways to vaccinate children.

The FDA and the CDC have authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 and older.

Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) will be receiving 250 doses to be used in the region to vaccinate young people. Effective immediately, ARHS is accepting appointments for youth, ages 12-17, living in the eight-county region.

If your child is between those ages and you would like for them to receive the Pfizer vaccine, please call your local health department to schedule an appointment:

Bertie County 252-794-5322

Gates County 252-357-1380

Hertford County 252-862-4054

The Northampton County Health Department is also seeking to provide the Pfizer vaccine to children between the ages of 12-17. They will host a vaccine clinic for that age group from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 10. Individuals are required to register by calling the health department at 252-534-5841 no later than June 8.

Northampton County youth receiving a vaccine on June 10 must have a parent or legal guardian accompany them the day of the clinic.

On Monday, the Northampton County Health Department reported a COVID-related death. That raised the R-C death toll from the virus to 191 since March of last year with 70 of those deaths in Northampton County.

Meanwhile, the number of local active cases remains low as of May 21: 11 in Northampton; 10 each in Bertie and Gates; and only four in Hertford County.

ARHS is continuing to monitor the facility outbreak at Chowan River Rehabilitation and Nursing in Edenton. Currently there is one resident and one staff member with lab-confirmed positive results.

ARHS has changed over to a total “appointment only” plan to administer first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine and single doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Local residents can make a vaccine appointment by calling ARHS offices in Ahoskie (252-862-4054), Gatesville (252-357-1380), or Windsor (252-794-5322).

If you received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine with another provider such as Walgreens or CVS, you will need to return to that same facility for your second dose.