The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended approval Friday of COVID vaccines for children ages 5-11.

County Executive Sam Page said this puts the vaccine one step closer to Centers for Disease Control approval, and the county is ready for that moment.

“Children in this age range can be fully vaccinated by Christmas and help us keep on the right trajectory for a very promising 2022,” Page said.

Page said if the CDC approves vaccines for children this week, the county can begin administering them as early as Saturday. The pediatric version would be available at all three health department branches and all four partnering library branches.

The South County Health Center in Sunset Hills, 4580 S. Lindbergh Blvd., will have evening hours twice a week for vaccinations.

St. Louis children have a higher transmission rate and new case amount than any other age group in the county. Page said once children can be vaccinated, the spread of the virus will slow down fast.

Visit revivestl.com for information on nearby vaccination opportunities. The county also has a patient services line for any vaccination questions at 314-615-7967.