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USFK begins COVID-19 inoculation program for children

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First grade student, seven-year-old Rihanna Chihuaque, receives a COVID-19 vaccine at Arturo Velasquez Institute in Chicago, Illinois, last Friday. AFP-Yonhap

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) started inoculating children in its affiliated community with a pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at three of its bases, officials said Wednesday.

The vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 started at the medical facilities in Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, and Camp Walker in Daegu, 300 km southeast of the capital, the USFK said.

The vaccinations come after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer vaccine for the age group Oct. 29. An initial pediatric dose is one-third of the adult dose and administered with smaller needles specifically designed for children.

The USFK said that while the vaccination is not mandatory, it strongly encourages "all eligible individuals to get vaccinated to help protect themselves, their family and our community." (Yonhap)