On Tuesday, June 14 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that it’s preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution for children in the state who are under 5 years old.

The Department also stated that children in this age group are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus like everyone else.

“A vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years could be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as soon as this weekend, and vaccinations in North Carolina could begin the week of June 20,” the June 14 press release from state health officials noted.

As with vaccine rollouts for other age groups, the NCDHHS is aiming to implement equitable vaccine distribution policies and procedures.  To that end, the vaccines, when finally available, will be offered in all 100 North Carolina counties.

Health departments across the state will get doses of the vaccine for distribution, and, according to state officials, over 300 pediatric offices in North Carolina have already signed up to provide the vaccine.

State health officials expect that those offices will be receiving vaccine shipments over the next two weeks.

With some qualifications, the vaccine will also be available in other places as well, such as family medical offices and some pharmacies.

NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley said in a prepared statement that this is an extension of the state’s ongoing vaccination plan.

“We have never stopped working to ensure that vaccines are fast, fair and everywhere for North Carolinians,” Kinsley stated. “It is exciting that our best tool against COVID-19 – safe and effective vaccines – could soon be available to our youngest North Carolinians, and because of our preparation, on day one in all 100 counties.”