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Phizer said earlier this week that its vaccine is effective in kids between the age of 5 to 11, an important next step as we try to vaccinate the majority of the population and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company tested a much lower dose — roughly one-third of what adults get — and found it worked in children. According to the company, and its partner BioNTech, after the second dose young children produced antibody levels that were as strong as teenagers and young adults are seeing.

That’s obviously great news, as it means the vaccine appears to be effective and safe in children that young.

Soon, it will be decision time for parents of children in that age group, and we think the time to have a conversation about the vaccine is now. 

So many adults have waited to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and while waiting, they’ve unfortunately gotten sick. We know this is a controversial topic (for some reason), but it really shouldn’t be.

Statistics all over the country show that people who are unvaccinated are getting sicker than people who are vaccinated.

Sure, there are steps ahead for Phizer to actually be approved to give out shots. The next step is to apply to the Food and Drug Administration by the end of the month for emergency use.

However, it’s clear that the time is coming when young children will be able to get the COVID-19 shot.

Our advice is to study the information now as it becomes available, so that you can make the best choice for your child when the vaccine is available. Find good reliable sources and ask your pediatrician. (And no, Facebook is not a good source.)

Kids did not get as sick during the first wave of COVID-19, but the Delta variant has changed things quite a bit. Now, younger people are getting sick, including children.

The COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be available for children soon. What will you do?