Some Central Florida schools to offer COVID-19 vaccine to elementary students
The Centers for Disease Control has given the green light for children ages 5-11 to receive Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. Many parents are considering what to do and some say they're not ready yet.
"It hasn't been out long enough, there's not enough research for me, they're my everything so I'm not risking it,” April Adams said.
However, others, including many pediatricians, say vaccinating young children now is the right thing to do.
"This is the protection they need and the protection our community needs,” Dr. Candice Jones said.
The vaccination drive is expected to ramp up with major retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens offering the vaccine to kids 5-11 starting this weekend.
Pediatricians will also administer the vaccine — it's expected larger pediatric practices will get the vaccine first.
As for Central Florida's counties and school districts: Orange County will host vaccination clinics at high schools starting Tuesday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 13. The clinics will be for any age and will include 5-to 11-year-olds. Details will be communicated through the school district.
Seminole County also plans to make the vaccine available at schools and says as soon as it is able to order and receive the vaccine. It will announce dates and locations soon.
Volusia and Osceola County Schools will not make the vaccine available at schools.