COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months could soon be authorized for emergency use, according to the Washington state Department of Health.
In a Thursday news release, the DOH listed a few vaccines being considered for authorization in the "coming days."
They include a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years old, a Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old and a second Moderna vaccine for youth aged 6 to 17 years old.
So far, vaccines have only been available for children 5 and older. About 74.4% of the state population 5 and older, including military populations, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of May 9, according to DOH data. However, vaccine uptake has slowed in recent months as the pandemic entered its third year, and many safety measures were lifted.
In the release, Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah said he expects supply to meet initial demand for the new vaccines. Supply will increase in the coming days and weeks, he added.
"Getting vaccinated remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you," Shah said. "We applaud the patience of parents anxiously awaiting this authorization. As a parent, I understand their desire to protect their child."
The state urges eager parents to remain patient as healthcare providers may take time to adapt to a potential demand increase, according to the release.
Healthcare providers will only be supplied the new vaccines once they are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory committee on Immunization Practices, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.
People looking for vaccine or booster appointments can visit the state's vaccine locator website or call an information hotline at 833-829-4357.
