When Can Kids Get the COVID Vaccine? It Depends

02.22.21
When Can Kids Get the COVID Vaccine? It Depends (Photo: CDC/Unsplash)

ChicagoA tentative schedule for vaccinating children from the coronavirus was recently released by the White House

During a press briefing Friday, officials said the vaccination timeline differs for children ages 6-12 and 12-17. Since some vaccine trials for those 12-17 have already begun, they could get vaccinated as soon as this fall. Younger children might have to wait until January 2022 as trials for 6-12 year olds are not expected to begin until the spring. 

Some parents are hoping to get their kids vaccinated sooner. 

“I’m comfortable having them go to school but definitely would be interested in getting them vaccinated as soon as it’s available,” San Francisco mom Ashley Syme told ABC 7 News. 

But others worry about the vaccine’s safety. 

“To me, I believe they came up with this method of a vaccine too soon, I’m just not a believer,” said Brentwood, California parent Maria Gil. 

However, doctors assure parents that the vaccine, once approved for children, will be safe. 

“I do not think they’ll be released until they are safe, I trust they’ll be safe when they’re available,” said Dr. Lisa Dana, a San Francisco pediatrician. 

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