MADISON, Wis. (NBC 26) — With the youngest age group now eligible, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is recommending children under five get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Leaders say the state has ordered 48,500 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
"Those vaccines are already arriving in the state," Wisconsin DHS secretary-designee Karen Timberlake said during a media briefing Tuesday.
Timberlake says the shipments will be delivered to both larger and smaller healthcare systems.
"So, that is enough to get us started," Timberlake said.
Smriti Khare of Children's Wisconsin says vaccinators will start administering the vaccine later this week or early next week.
"We are starting with Pfizer," Khare said during a media briefing Tuesday. "We presume that was the quickest way to get the vaccine going, while we work through receiving Moderna as well."
It is unclear when all healthcare systems in Northeast Wisconsin will start vaccinating tots.
But Prevea Health tells NBC 26 it plans to begin giving the shots in a couple of weeks on Wednesday, July 6.
And if you're thinking about getting your young one's vaccinated, Khare recommends telling them that it will help keep their older relatives safe, and perhaps, give them some superpowers.
"I do have to remind them that that doesn't mean that they can fly," Khare said. "So, they still have to be safe."
Experts say if you have questions, you are encouraged to contact your regular pediatrician. You can also check vaccines.gov or call 211.
