The major drug store chains – widely expected to play a crucial role in administering COVID-19 vaccines to children – are poised to begin inoculating kids 5-11 within days.
CVS and Walgreens, the two largest chains in the country, told USA Today hat they are now accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 through 11 after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially made them eligible on Tuesday. Ages 12 and up were already eligible.
Appointments will begin this weekend at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.
Health experts say that children are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it, though they are less likely than older people to die from it.
“As many families prepare to travel and gather for the holidays, and COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, individuals including children are at high risk to contract and spread COVID-19 and experience more severe symptoms,” Walgreens said in a statement.
