Central Coast doctors respond to FDA’s approval of COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 12 and up

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Doctors are calling it big news at Marian Regional Medical Center.

They said the more people can get vaccinated, the faster we can get past the pandemic.

The announcement from the FDA on Monday means kids down to age 12 could soon get receive a vaccine.

Doctors believe this is an important step forward, because the virus continues to circulate in young people.

Even though you don’t see the same hospitalizations and severe illness rates in children, doctors said it still gives the virus more opportunity to mutate.

"This pool of patients with the virus is still circulating, giving it additional opportunity to mutate and additional variants to come and emerge. We would suggest following the CDC's recommendations and getting these young people vaccinated. It’s always great news to have more people eligible to be vaccinated," said Dr. Scott Robertson at Marian Regional Medical Center.

Dignity Health plans to make vaccines available to patients down to age 12 starting Saturday, if the CDC recommends it.

For a breakdown of daily COVID-19 cases in Santa Barbara County, click here.