SOUTH EUCLID — Dr. Shelly Senders is the founder and CEO of Senders Pediatrics in South Euclid. His office has been working with Pfizer to study the effectiveness of the pharmaceutical company’s COVID-19 vaccine on teenagers.

What You Need To Know

  • Pediatrician’s office in Northeast Ohio participated in COVID-19 vaccine study for teenagers

  • Nearly 150 Ohio teens received either the vaccine or a placebo

  • The pediatrician's office is looking for younger volunteers for the next vaccine study

Clinical trials began in October and included testing of 144 area youths who volunteered to take part.

Senders said nearly 500 people expressed interest.

“I get goosebumps every time I talk about it," Senders said. "It sounds corny because I’ve been in practice for 30 years and sometimes you become immune to some of the emotional parts of it, but this is a real opportunity to make a difference.” 

Senders is a Northeast Ohio native and said one of his favorite things about the area is the seasons.

He compares waiting for spring — to the light at the end of the tunnel of this pandemic.

“We believe that things will get better. Even when it is the darkest, snowiest day of the winter, we know that spring is going to come,” Senders said. "These vaccines offer our world a way out, an opportunity to get past the lockdowns, past the school closings, past the businesses closing.” 

Gabe Feinberg, 15, participated in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial at Senders Pediatrics. 

"It was my way of volunteering and helping get us through this, obviously, we all just want to get out of this," Feinberg said. "I think this was my way of saying this is how I can help and I thought that was really important.” 

The teenager received his first shot on Dec. 21 and the second one on Jan 11.

He still doesn't know if he took the vaccine or a placebo.

"I think it’s really powerful to think about how we are contributing to society and the future to kind of get through this,” Feinberg said.

As the trials for adolescents wrap up, Senders Pediatrics still has more work with Pfizer ahead.

In June, the practice will participate in another trial that includes younger children. 

"They will be first the 5 to 11-year-olds," Senders said. "Then the 2-5 years and then the 6 months to two-year-olds.” 

If you are interested in having your child participate in the study you can email the study at senderspediatrics.com.

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