Nebraska slated to get 64,200 pediatric vaccine doses

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Health officials in Nebraska say they’re expecting 64,200 initial doses of the coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

The allocation is enough to cover nearly 35% of the 186,200 Nebraska children who fall in that age range.

Don Herrington, the acting director of the state Department of Health Services, encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19.

He said pediatric vaccinations will be available in some areas at special vaccination clinics arranged with schools and local health care providers. Retail pharmacies and more than 900 providers such as pediatricians and community health clinics also will provide the vaccinations to children.

Roll up your sleeves: Kids' turn arrives for COVID-19 shots

Schoolchildren take the spotlight this week as the U.S. enters a new phase in COVID-19 vaccination aimed at curbing deaths, hospitalizations and more than a year of disrupted education.

Hugs with friends. Birthday parties indoors. Pillow fights. Kids who got their first shots Wednesday said these are the pleasures they look forward to.

With authorities promising enough supply to protect the nation’s 28 million children ages 5-11, vaccinations began after the final OK late Tuesday. The lower-dose vaccine requires two shots three weeks apart.

Children who get vaccinated before Thanksgiving will be fully covered by Christmas.