WASHINGTON D.C. — COVID-19 vaccinations for young kids are ramping up.
The White House estimates that nearly a million kids between 5 to 11 will get their first shots this week, with 700,000 appointments lined up.
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“Many of them have already set up vaccine clinics, you know, large, larger sites, and those appointments are filling up, and so we’re hearing a lot of enthusiasm,” said Dr. Lee Savio Beers, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Similar to the vaccine rollout for adults, enthusiasm may die down. Dr. Beers said pediatricians are prepared to answer parents’ questions about the shot and even questions from the little ones.
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“Just help kids understand, you know, why, why their parents and their doctor making these decisions together,” said Dr. Beers.
She said we can expect more data about a vaccine for kids under five early next year.
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“Just like with the vaccine for five to 11 year olds, we have to take it a step at a time. We have to see the data, you know, [we] have to have to follow through the process, which is a good process, and it’s how we know we’re getting safe and effective vaccines,” said Dr. Beers.
Doctors say younger kids have experienced fewer side effects from the shot, compared to teens and adults.
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