Hochul tells pediatricians to start preparing to give COVID-19 shots

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul Wednesday said pediatricians should start preparing to give COVID-19 shots to their patients.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to discuss doses for children between the ages of five and 11 on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

A decision could come as soon as Halloween.

Hochul said the shot will be a game-changer after an increasing number of children tested positive for COVID-19 over the summer.

"It’s a very frightening thing,” Hochul said. “I’m a parent. All you are hardwired to do is to protect your kids and make sure they’re okay and this is something that has been a source of anxiety for many and so we are working very closely with our pediatricians. We’re going to have a whole strategy."

Hochul said she’ll be holding a Zoom call with pediatricians to talk about next steps, and the state is also in contact with schools and pharmacies.

Hochul said as of Wednesday, 85% of adult New Yorkers have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.