UW Medicine to give Pfizer shots to kids, but most will have to wait a month

SEATTLE — Children in Washington and around the country can now get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Pfizer shots will be available at UW Medicine for children ages 5 to 11 as soon as Thursday.

While kids started getting vaccinated Wednesday, it may take parents a few days to get an appointment.

UW Medicine has already scheduled more than 2,000 vaccination appointments for the newly-eligible age group.

KIRO 7 met father Brandon Wong on Wednesday as his three kids were getting shots.

To Wong, protection against COVID-19 for his children meant a much-welcomed return to normalcy.

“It’s just a relief and a burden off our shoulders,” said Wong.

Health workers admit it could take a while before most of Western Washington’s children are fully protected against COVID-19.

Most children will have to wait at least another month for their first dose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when children are fully vaccinated, they’ll have 91% protection against developing severe COVID-19 infections.

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