EXPLAINER: What to know about vaccines for kids aged 5-11

By LAURAN NEERGAARD
AP Medical Writer

Vaccinations finally are available to U.S. children as young as 5, to the relief of many parents. Shots began soon after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Tuesday gave the final OK for youngsters age 5 to 11 to get kid-size doses of Pfizer’s vaccine. The free vaccines are being offered at pediatricians’ offices, clinics and pharmacies. Pediatricians and other doctors’ groups praised the move. Even though the virus tends to be more severe in adults, COVID-19 is causing plenty of suffering among children, including serious illnesses and deaths that can be largely prevented.