Biden urges parents to ‘get their kids vaccinated’

President Biden on Wednesday touted the authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 15 as a “giant step” in fighting COVID-19 and urged that age group to get vaccinated right away.

The comments at the White House came shortly after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel voted to recommend the vaccine for adolescents. It will be available pending final approval from the CDC director, which is expected later Wednesday.

“This is one more giant step in our fight against the pandemic,” Biden said of availability for the age group. “I encourage each of them and their parents to get their vaccination shots right away.”

“We’re ready,” he added. “This new population’s going to find the vaccine rollout fast and efficient.”

Biden encourages parents to get their children vaccinated after a CDC panel recommended Pfizer’s COVID shots for people as young as 12

“The vaccine for kids between the ages of 12 and 15 [is] safe, effective, easy, fast and free. My hope is that parents will take advantage” pic.twitter.com/tZJwqYkUKU

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 12, 2021

More than 15,000 pharmacies will be available to vaccinate the new age group as of Thursday, Biden said, and the administration is also working to get shots to pediatrician and family doctor offices.

The administration also said it would host events with “celebrities and influencers” to encourage teens to get vaccinated in the coming weeks.

On Thursday, the country will have delivered 250 million shots since Biden took office, the president said.

“There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, well it’s growing brighter and brighter and we need all of you to bring it home,” Biden said.

He expressed confidence that the “vast majority” of Americans would get the shot.

“I keep hearing about how Republicans won’t,” he said. “Look, if it’s available, if it’s nearby, if it’s convenient, people are getting vaccinated. I believe the vast majority of Americans are going to get vaccinated.”