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GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks Public Health held its first pediatric vaccine clinic for COVID-19 on Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Grand Cities Mall.
The doors opened at 3 p.m., but people were lined up by 1:30 p.m. and within an hour all 60 doses were gone.
9-year-old Havyn Boespflug was excited to received the vaccine.
"I don't want to get Coronavirus," she said.
10-year-old Sam Reynolds said his mom made him get the jab, but admitted he's glad she did.
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"I know I am helping the community, and I am not going to get COVID," he said.
His mom, Kathryn Yukonis, called the day a big moment and a relief.
"Standing up and doing our part serving the community, it's really important to keep him in school and stay safe and healthy," Yurkonis said.
Not everybody was as lucky. Due to high demand, and the clinic only having 60 doses to give out, they did it on a first-come, first-served basis.
"It's hard having a plan going forward, we don't know when we will get our next allocation or the number of doses we are going to get," said Jessica Stuart of Grand Forks Public Health.
Grand Forks Public Health says future pediatric clinics will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Just like adults, two doses are needed and side effects should not be a concern.
"Side effects to children will be the same as adults, flu like symptoms, body aches, low grade fever or maybe fatigue," explained Stuart.
These kids have one message to their friends and classmates: they want to stay in school.
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"Get vaccinated so we can go back to normal, so we don't have to wear masks anymore," said Reynolds.
Also, getting the vaccine will keep you healthy.
"You won't feel sick, you won't feel like you have a tummy ache," said Boespflug.