Vaccines roll out for young children, after federal OK

Child vaccination Photo credit Getty Images

By Nancy Harty

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — COVID vaccines for children under age 5 are making their way to hospitals and health systems in the Chicago area after federal officials gave final approval over the weekend.

WBBM Newsradio’s Nancy Harty reports Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge is expecting to start giving shots Tuesday.

Dr. Michael Cappello, vice chairman of the medical center, said they’ve had plenty of practice administering COVID shots to older children and will be ready for the younger ones.

Advocate’s pediatric clinics are getting the Pfizer vaccine.

They’ve been answering questions from parents for months leading up to this, mainly about side effects, he said. Advocate encourages parents to call their pediatrician office to schedule the vaccines.

The Pfizer regimen is three doses for young kids – with three weeks between the first and second shots and two months before the third shot.