The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the Pfizer vaccine for young children Tuesday evening. That decision followed a daylong meeting by the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds last week.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Scott called the CDC’s approval “an enormous step forward and a significant opportunity for parents and caregivers to help their kids and communities.”

“Vaccinating Vermont’s youth will have a significant impact on our efforts to move past this pandemic, and we need parents to take advantage of this safe, free and effective way to protect their children,” he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Scott said appointment registration in Vermont would begin the morning after the federal authorization was finalized. 

Appointments for school-based and state-run clinics can be made Wednesday morning at healthvermont.gov/KidsVaccine or by calling 855-722-7878. Families may need to add their child as a dependent in the registration system, according to Tuesday night’s announcement.

The vaccine authorized for young children is a smaller, more diluted dose than the vaccine for those 12 and older, meaning only certain clinics will have the necessary supplies to administer shots to 5- to 11-year-olds. Those locations will be indicated in the registration system.

Parents are encouraged to book appointments in advance, but some walk-in appointments may be available, said Mike Smith, secretary of the Agency of Human Services.

Smith said the state is also planning to hold 96 school-based clinics across a six-week period with the goal to get as many shots in arms as possible before the holidays.

More options are expected to become available in the coming weeks. Doses should be available at most pediatricians’ offices by mid-November, according to Rebecca Bell, president of the Vermont chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Shots will also be available through pharmacies, Bell said. Availability and scheduling procedures may vary depending on the store and location.

Vermont officials expect the state will receive 6,000 pediatric doses by the end of Tuesday and a total of more than 23,000 doses for children by the end of the week, according to Tuesday’s announcement.

Nearly 16,000 of the doses will go to state-run clinics with the rest allocated to pharmacies and health care partners. More are expected to become available after that.

About 44,000 Vermont children are newly eligible. 

Officials said Tuesday that while they unequivocally recommend that parents get their young children vaccinated, they recognize that some people may have questions. Those parents are encouraged to reach out to their pediatricians or doctors to learn more about the vaccine.

The Vermont pediatrics academy is also holding virtual forums with local pediatricians about Covid-19 vaccines for children. Events will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom on the following dates:

• Monday, Nov. 8, with Leah Costello, M.D. (South Burlington) — Click here for Zoom link
• Wednesday, Nov. 10, with Elizabeth Richards, M.D. (Brattleboro) — Click here for Zoom link
• Tuesday, Nov. 16, with Josh Kantrowitz, M.D. (St. Johnsbury) — Click here for Zoom link
• Thursday, Nov. 18, with Ashley Miller, M.D. (South Royalton) — Click here for Zoom link
• Monday, Nov. 22, with Colleen Moran, M.D. (Lamoille County) — Click here for Zoom link

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