COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Following the CDC's recommendation on Sunday for children over the age of six months to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Texas A&M University has begun offering free COVID-19 vaccines for young children in Brazos county and soon the Lone Star State.
"We're partnering today "[Wednesday, June 22,]" with the Texas Department of Emergency Management and have members of the Texas military here with us, they're actually handling vaccinations for adults," Clinical Associate Professor in the college of medicine at Texas A&M Robert Carpenter said. "We're actually providing vaccines for children between the ages of six months and up to 12 years," Carpenter said
The partnership between Texas A&M and the Texas Department of Emergency Management will allow both groups to administer vaccines to those in the Brazos Valley and throughout Texas. Dr. Carpenter said the program is critical for those living in more rural areas throughout Texas.
"When you look at what are called social determinants of health, it really is true that you can look at someone's zip code and tell more about their risk of disease and their life expectancy just from that number more than what their ethnicity or their family history is," Carpenter said. "So we have to be able to protect all Texans."
With the most recent spike in COVID cases and hospitalization in Brazos County, Carpenter said it's more important than ever to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
The Brazos County Health District has announced they will also begin giving vaccines to children aging from six months to four years old. You are able to bring your children Monday through Friday to the Brazos County Health District, 201 N Texas Ave. BCHD is not requiring parents to set an appointment for vaccinations. BCHD officials are asking parents bringing their children, to receive their boosters as well. The Moderna and Pfizer will be the vaccines offered.
"We're getting ready to start, especially as we get closer to school. It's hard to believe that in June, but the reality of it is we want to be talking to those parents, we want to be able to help them make decisions that are right for their family about this particular opportunity to protect them as we go out into the fall," Carpenter said.
As well as giving out free vaccines, the university is also providing free at-home test kits for all families who come to get the vaccine.
RELATED: Brazos County COVID-19 updates