Fauci sees vaccination for kids by late spring or the summer

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and DARLENE SUPERVILLE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government's top infectious disease expert says he hopes to see some kids starting to get vaccinated for COVID-19 in the next few months.

It's a needed step to securing widespread immunity to the virus. Dr. Anthony Fauci said at Friday's White House coronavirus briefing that hopefully that will start to happen by late spring or summer. Vaccines are not yet approved for children, but testing is underway.

Children represent about one-fourth of the population, and for the U.S. to reach "herd immunity," or widespread resistance, about 70% to 85% of the population must be vaccinated.

At the moment, even older adults are having problems getting shots.