As the coronavirus pandemic continues and more people are vaccinated, there is a potential for younger children to be able to be vaccinated soon. 

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says in order for an authorization for younger children there are multiple steps for it to go through. Cochran explains what those steps look like.  

“There’s the initial development by researchers and then there are three stages of clinical trials starting with small groups of people, with a larger more diverse group and then finally with thousands of subjects. This all takes time and as the data comes in at each of those stages if adjustments need to be made the process starts over again.”

Cochran tells Raccoon Valley Radio if and when the authorization comes in for children to receive a COVID-19 vaccine it will improve the herd immunity. Cochran explains the potential timeline for an authorization.

“I think that what they are talking about right now is they are hoping that in early November.”

Cochran says people should remember that it takes two weeks after being vaccinated for it to fully take effect and could potentially push into the Christmas season depending on how long authorization takes.