EUCLID, Ohio — A Northeast Ohio pediatric and research office participated in the Pfizer vaccine trial to combat COVID-19, and hundreds of teenagers lined up to help during the process. 

What You Need To Know

  • Senders Pediatrics used 150 participants for the trial

  • It's participated in 200 clinical trials in the last 20 years and has worked with Pfizer in the past

  • After working on an adult study, Dr. Shelly Senders says the office moved on to teenagers to determine how long immunity lasts and if the vaccine’s safety profile will continue in kids

Avery and Cami Blaszak are like many teenagers. They love sports, like cross country, and baking at home. 

"That takes up most of our free time, but now that that’s kind of over, we’re kind of... watching a lot of Netflix," said Avery.

But the Shaker Heights siblings had an opportunity to make history when a local pediatrician’s office asked them if they’d be interested in a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial. 

“If I have any symptoms or anything, I would have to like stop participating in the sports, and I was a little hesitant because of that,” said Avery.  

"You know, having a chance to be a part of this trial, pretty much be a part of history. (I) jumped right on it, and my mom was the one who was kind of like, ‘Well, let's wait a little bit until your sports over,'” said Cami.  

Dr. Shelly Senders is the founder and CEO of Senders Pediatrics, which has participated in 200 clinical trials in the last 20 years — that includes working with Pfizer. After working on an adult study, Senders says the office moved on to teenagers to determine how long immunity lasts, and if the vaccine’s safety profile will continue in kids. The doctor says his office was in a good position to find volunteers. 

“We have an extensive group of patients. We have thousands of teenagers who participate in our practice. And one of the magics of being a pediatric provider as well as a research site is that we have relationships," said Senders. “We have very strong relationships with our patients and as a result, we’re able to recruit them very nicely.” 

Senders says he needed 150 teenagers to participate in the trial. Close to 500 people expressed interest. 

“Remember, these are the kids who are not really getting hospitalized, and they’re not dying. These are kids who, when they get it, they get mild symptoms by and large," said Senders. “What it really says is, these are people who want to make a difference. These are people who are interested in doing something that can help themselves and help other people. And it says a lot about the next generation.” 

The teen sisters say the trial involves doses of the vaccine or a placebo, daily temperature checks a week after each shot, filling out a diary card on their phones, and check ups to make sure there’s no COVID-19 symptoms. 

Avery says she only had minor swelling and is happy to be apart of a trial that could help not just themselves, but others. 

"I want to help other people who may not have the like opportunity or chance to do this. I want to be able to help where other people can’t, basically.” 

On Friday morning, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced the Food and Drug Administration will grant Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, emergency use authorization for their COVID-19 vaccination. The approval is expected to come in the next week as the FDA works with health professionals to ensure the vaccine gets prescribed appropriately.