November 3rd, 2021 by WCBC Radio

^{Maryland health officials authorized providers across the state to immediately begin scheduling appointments, holding clinics and vaccinating 5- to 11-year-old children, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday. WBAL reports the} governor's update comes a day after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed a recommendation to vaccinate children ages 5-11 against COVID-19, clearing the way for immediate vaccination of the youngest age group yet in the United States.

^{Hogan said 515,000 Maryland children are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Based on requests from providers, the state placed an initial order of 180,000 doses, which began arriving directly from Pfizer earlier this week. Many of the doses are already in place across the state, Hogan said.}