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COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5 now available at pharmacies, doctor’s offices

ORLANDO, Fla. — COVID-19 vaccines are now available at some pharmacies for children under 5 years old.

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Families will have two options for children as young as 6 months old.

Pfizer’s vaccine is a series of three shots. It is equal to one-tenth of the adult dose. The doses will be stretched out over 11 weeks.

Moderna’s vaccine is equal to a quarter of the adult dose. Children will receive the doses one month apart.

READ: COVID vaccine: Shots for kids begin Tuesday; Florida only state not to preorder

Parents who want their children to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will have to go to a pharmacy or a doctor’s office because there will be no state-run program or sites for the vaccines.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he is not using state resources to give out the vaccine to the new age group.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running for governor, argued that DeSantis is making a huge mistake.

READ: Coronavirus: CDC director signs off on vaccines for children 5 and under

“The entire ordeal seems to have created chaos and confusion, making it appears as that there would be no vaccine available,” Fried said.

DeSantis stands by his decision.

“I think they thought we would be embarrassed by that. We’re following the data,” DeSantis said.

READ: Coronavirus: FDA authorizes first COVID-19 shots for children 5 and younger

Instead of state-run vaccination sites, doses will be available at some pharmacies, doctor’s offices and hospitals that pre-ordered shipments from the federal government.

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Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.