More than 533,000 children age 5-11 are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says vaccination is the best way to protect children from COVID-19 infection and complications.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children age 5 and up as a two-dose series taken three weeks apart.

DHSS says there are several things you need to know:
— Safety: Data from clinical trials, which was reviewed in-depth by the CDC, FDA and other medical experts, shows the vaccine is safe for kids;
— Efficacy: Clinical trials found the vaccine was more than 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in children age 5-11;
— Dose: The vaccine for children uses the same active ingredients, but is given as a smaller dose (one-third of the dosage for those 12 years and older).

More than 11 million children ages 12-17 – that’s nearly half of all those in that age group – have been safely vaccinated with no serious safety concerns identified.

Missourians over the age of 12 also are encouraged to get vaccinated if they have not done so already.

You can learn more and find a pediatric provider at MOStopsCovid.com.