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Kids 12 and older should get the coronavirus vaccine, health officials say

Pfizer's COVID vaccine is currently approved for people twelve and older and is widely available in Alabama.

ALABAMA, USA — Half of all U.S. adults are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Now, efforts are underway to get the vaccine to younger Americans.

School is letting out, but because kids and teens can still get and spread COVID-19 this summer, health officials are encouraging parents to sign their kids up to be vaccinated.

Moderna says its COVID vaccine is 100% effective in kids as young as twelve. The company is expected to seek FDA approval in early June.

ADPH Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers said, "We do expect that the Moderna will likely be approved and that will just add more vaccine supply, but right now we have plenty Pfizer in Alabama to be able to cover the populations that are eligible."

RELATED: Moderna says COVID vaccine safe, highly effective in kids ages 12 to 17

Pfizer's COVID vaccine is currently approved for people twelve and older and is widely available in Alabama.

Dr. Landers is a pediatrician and says she's watched the pediatric studies of the COVID vaccine closely. She says the Pfizer vaccine is proven to be safe and effective for this age group and recommends people who are eligible get it.

RELATED: Experts answer parent questions about Pfizer vaccine for kids 12 and older

"Kids are turning twelve years of age every day in Alabama, so I recommend take the product that is available that your physician or your provider has," said Dr. Landers.

Dr. Landers says people should take advantage of the summer months when COVID transmission is low and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

WATCH: How COVID-19 vaccines were developed so quickly and why they are considered safe

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