Major U.S. pharmacies across the country and in the Hudson Valley are ready to start giving Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to eligible children.

CVS and Walgreens started accepting appointments today. Rite Aid, the third-largest chain, is expected to follow suit soon.

Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut began vaccinating young children last night after the CDC director gave the green light.

About 28 million children are now eligible to get the vaccine, which is about one third the dose that adults get.

Efforts to administer it are expected to be fully up and running next week. “The formulations…will be now available in pharmacies, pediatricians' offices, children's hospital and certain community locations. That's what the preparedness was about. It's a good thing. We will hit the ground running. Probably by the beginning of next week, we will be at full speed. So parents should consult with their pediatricians, family physicians, pharmacists and they will be able to know exactly where to get this particular vaccine for their children, from 5 to 11," says Dr. Anthony Fauci.