The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 and up on Nov. 2. 

Vaccine trials for children showed similar results to the adult trials being around 91% effective in preventing children aged 5-11 from getting COVID-19, according to the CDC.The vaccine side effects were also similar to what was seen in adults — mild, self-limiting and most common a sore arm — when tested in clinical trials.

While other elementary students can now get vaccinated, for biology teacher Jennifer Davis’ 7-year-old son, who has congenital heart disease, he can’t get vaccinated until Children’s Mercy deems it okay for his condition. With her son having a compromised immune system, he relies on herd immunity to protect him from the virus. 

“With him being in second grade it’s hard for the kids to keep their masks on and understand the seriousness of the disease,” Davis said. “I think if it comes to a point where we can get to herd immunity I would love to see that.”