Milwaukee Health Department now offering vaccines to kids as young as 6 months

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The COVID-19 vaccine is now available in Milwaukee to anyone over 6 months old. 

The Milwaukee Health Department announced Thursday, June 23 that they would start putting shots in little arms. 

Local health leaders are encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Dr. Ben Weston is the chief health policy advisor for Milwaukee County. He said whichever vaccine you're able to get, Moderna or Pfizer, are better than staying unvaccinated. 

"While families may struggle with which brand of vaccine to get for their child, what they should not struggle with is whether to vaccinate their child, said Dr. Weston. "There is no question the benefits well outweigh any perceived risks." 

The CDC approved both doses earlier this week. Two walk-in community clinics are open in Milwaukee throughout the week. 

The Menomonee Valley site opened at 9 a.m., and families were there ready to get their kids vaccinated. 

Many parents have waited years for the chance to give their children a sense of normalcy. 

"Basically their whole lives," said Jessie Abderholden. The Abderholden's children are 2 and 4 years old. 

"We're really excited and relieved. Our 4-year-old goes to Milwaukee Public Schools, and he's been in a mask. And they've done a great job keeping them spread out, but this is going to be a big relief," said Abderholden. 

"We're just ready to be a little more normal in our lives now that he's protected," said Joseph Terc, while waiting to get his 2-and-a-half-year-old son a vaccine. 

While families with older children felt that relief months ago, for parents with little ones, it's been a long process. 

"It started, it was going to be ready back in February or something, and it kept getting delayed," said Terc. 

In addition to Menomonee Valley, the Northwest Health Center at 7630 W. Mill Rd. and the Southside Health Center at 1639 S. 23rd St. are open for walk-ins Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays every week.

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