More people in the United States may soon be protected against the coronavirus with Pfizer announcing its vaccine is safe and effective for children aged five to eleven. Currently, only people 12 and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. 

A new study shows children developed antibodies on a level equal to teens and young adults after a two-shot series. The dosage used in those shots was about a third of what adults were given.

Pfizer now plans to use this data to seek approval to offer vaccinations to children in this age group.

Amid this update, we took to the 21 News Facebook page to gather some questions parents have when it comes to vaccinating their children.

Our resident pediatrician, Dr. John Cox, answered questions about the concern over long-term side effects to fertility.

Q: "Have children shown any unusual side effects, other than what they would get from other vaccines?"

Dr. Cox: "One in about every 45 to 50 thousand adolescents were coming up with a little myocarditis which is an inflammation of the heart. That is with the vaccine a transient issue. It is something subclinical and doesn't cause any issues. It usually goes away and it's self-limiting...Not putting kids in the hospital." Cox went on to add, "It's about 19 times greater with natural covid to get myocarditis."

Q: "Will it have any effect on children's fertility as adults?"

Dr. Cox: "There is misinformation going around with fertility. This has not been shown and not been found in any of the science to reflect on any fertility issues. We've been having baby booms since all this started."

Q: "What about children with health issues?"

Dr. Cox: "Always consult your pediatrician, but anyone who might be immunocompromised or have lung issues, this is something that you might want to think about."

Q: "If the vaccine doesn't stop you from getting covid or spreading it what is the point in getting it?"

Dr. Cox: "The point is to decrease severe outcomes. We want to try and turn this into a normal cold, or a really bad upper respiratory infection and not have people be in the ICU and not have people in ventilators and not have people die," he said, "So people are getting it, but they're much more mild symptoms than natural Covid without any vaccinations."