Arizona health expert expects CDC approval of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 this week

By Jill Ryan, Tom Maxedon
Published: Monday, November 1, 2021 - 11:50am
Updated: Monday, November 1, 2021 - 11:59am

With the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5-11 approved by the Food and Drug Administration, parents now wait on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Arizona Public Health Association Executive Director Will Humble says he expects that approval as early as Thursday. 

"Arizona Department of Health Services has promised to update their vaccine finder website so that families can go onto the vaccine finder site and then find the locations where they can make appointments or potentially even do drop-ins," Humble said.

Humble recommends families first go to their pediatricians to look for vaccines. 

Will Humble
Bret Jaspers/KJZZ
Will Humble

Pima County is preparing for the approval.

Dr. Francisco García, Pima County's health director and chief medical officer, says the county anticipated the announcement and already pre-ordered 11,400 doses.

“Why does it matter that we need to vaccinate children? The largest number of cases that are being reported through our schools are in that group that is less than 12 years of age,” said García.

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