CDC Advisory Panel Recommends Approval Of COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids 5-11

A CDC advisory panel recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine be approved for children ages 5 to 11, with a final ruling coming at any time.

That means kids here in Oklahoma could get the shot by the end of the week.

The state health department says 375,000 more kids in Oklahoma will now be eligible for the vaccine.

And the state is ready to give it out as soon as possible.

The state health department says Oklahoma has already received an initial allocation of 130,000 pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine to give to children.

The state says weekly shipments will start soon.

The health department says pharmacy retailers and about 500 pediatric doctor's offices are prepared to give out the shots to kids.

The doses are smaller but still given out 21 days apart.

Health officials in Oklahoma can't say exactly when the first shot will be given, but it would be by the end of the week.

Doctors are also preparing for increased hesitancy by parents who have kids in that age group.

The state says they expect an initial surge, but say there will be enough vaccine for those who want it.

"There will be vaccine hesitancy and we know there will be like me who are incredibly eager to get every child in my family vaccinated,” said Dr. Donna Tyungu, a pediatrician with OU Health. “And then there will be some who are just going to wait and see and be on the fence and really do need that conversation with their provider."

Cases right now statewide continue to trend down.

Doctors expect that to continue now that more kids can get the shot.