After a trial showed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe for kids ages 5 to 11 and generates a robust antibody response among them, a doctor with Phoenix Children’s Hospital is hopeful that the FDA will green light it later this year.

“So we are hoping that by the end of October, this EUA or emergency use authorization will be available and then soon after that we can start the vaccination for this age group," said Dr. Wassim Ballan, a pediatric infectious disease physician with Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

The doses given to these children will not be as strong as the ones given to older individuals, Ballan said.

"It’s actually one-third of the dose that we give for the other age groups, but the timing and the number of doses is going to be the same — so it’s going to be two doses separated by three weeks, so exactly the same schedule as the other age groups," he said. 

In addition, Ballan said it should not cause any problems for most children since it's not a live vaccine and doesn't cause the disease itself. 

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