More than 900,000 children aged 5-11 will have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose by the end of Wednesday, according to the White House.
Driving the news: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a two-dose series of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 on Nov. 2, with some kids receiving their first dose the following day. First lady Jill Biden on Monday kicked off a "nationwide effort" to get more young children vaccinated.
- Each of the shots administered to kids 5-11 will be about a third of the size of the adult dose. The doses will be spaced three weeks apart. Children of this age bracket who are immunocompromised may not receive a third dose.
- NPR was first to report the 900,000 figure.
By the numbers: About 28 million children 5-11 are eligible to get vaccinated, AP reports.
- At least 1.9 million 5-11 year-olds have had COVID-19, the CDC said last week.
What they're saying: "As we have discussed, our program for kids ages 5 through 11 is hitting full strength this week," a White House official said.
- "Parents and families across the country are breathing giant sighs of relief. And we are just getting started."
The big picture: There are approximately 20,000 pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and physicians' offices administering the vaccine, and the White House said that there are already 700,000 future appointments scheduled through pharmacies alone.
- The White House said that it is working with governors, health care providers and local leaders to "build on this progress."
- Minnesota has set up 1,100 vaccination sites, including at the Mall of America, which can vaccinate 1,500 kids a day.
- There are more than 1,000 clinics planned in schools, "including early morning hours before the work- and school-day."
- "Nationwide, 114 children’s hospitals are now offering vaccinations and engaging their communities — with many hosting family-friendly vaccination events, featuring stickers, pets, and stuffed animals," the White House added.
