FDA panel recommends COVID vaccines for little kids, but questions remain about where they’ll be available

CHICAGO — Mary MacMillan is eager to get her 2-year-old son vaccinated against COVID-19, once vaccines are authorized for young kids. But she has a lot of questions about how to get the shots.

MacMillan’s pediatrician doesn’t plan to offer the vaccines. She won’t be able to take her son to most pharmacies because Illinois pharmacists are only allowed to vaccinate children 3 and older. It’s also not yet clear how many schools will hold vaccination events for young children this summer.

“The first thing is figuring out where we can get him a vaccine,” said MacMillan of Crystal Lake. “I’ve been looking like crazy. Nobody’s posted anything, so it’s like the worst waiting game ever.”