DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- Texas is expected to receive an initial shipment of 1.3 million doses of Pfizer's pediatric vaccine, and vaccinations of kids as young as five have begun.
Dallas County received three thousand doses at the Dallas County Health and Human Services office near 35E and Wycliff and started vaccinations Wednesday morning.
"There will be more and more shots coming," says Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
Families started lining up at the building before shots were offered Wednesday.
"This is a big day in our household and, I think, in the country," one mother said as she waited in the observation area after her son, who is in second grade, received his first shot. "We're very excited to see some light on the horizon."
"It was like a little pinch," her son said, describing the feeling of the shot.
Families coming through could get tickets to Six Flags Over Texas or Wal-Mart gift cards. One girl with her mom says she is glad to no longer have to learn remotely, but she looks forward to a day when precautions at school are no longer needed.
"It was really tough, very hard. It was just really stressful, really, really stressful," the girl says of remote learning.
"She'll be able to do all the activities she's been waiting on for so long," her mom says. "It was tough doing virtual school and also working full-time."
Through Tuesday, the Department of State Health Services says hospitals had 3,156 COVID-19 patients, down from 8,218 October 1. In North Texas, DSHS says hospitals had 875 COVID-19 patients using 5.39% of beds.
DSHS says 64% percent of Texans 12 and older are fully vaccinated; 64% of Dallas County residents, 61% of Tarrant County residents, 72% of Collin County residents and 66% of Denton County residents are fully vaccinated.
The Pfizer vaccine is a two dose regimen. Kids will receive two doses 21 days apart, but the dose is only one third the size of the adult dose.
"The vials are different, they're a different color," Jenkins says. "It'll be difficult for people to make a mistake the way this is set up."
Kids can get the vaccine at Dallas County Health and Human Services at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway Dallas, TX 75207 and Dallas College Eastfield campus.
Jenkins says the vaccine should be available at pharmacies and pediatricians' offices next week, and Dallas ISD school nurses will offer the vaccine.
"She'll be able to give your child a shot at school, just like you sign a permission slip to go on a field trip, you can sign a permission slip for a DISD nurse to give your child a shot," he says.
People can find locations offering the vaccine for kids and adults at vaccine.gov.
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