Health officials in Westchester are focusing on getting children ages 5 to 11 vaccinated against COVID-19.

More than 90% of all adults in Westchester have gotten at least one COVID-19 shot, and now the county is turning its attention on the newest vaccine-eligible group.

That's because kids 5 to 11 still make up 9% of the county's COVID-19 cases.

And just last week 1.5 million New York kids in the age group became eligible for the shot.

Officials say students exposed to COVID-19 who are asymptomatic can remain in school.

It also helps protect older relatives who may not fight the virus off as easily, especially leading up to holiday gatherings.

They say kids are less likely to get hospitalized or to die from COVID if vaccinated.

Kids 12 to 15 still lag behind the rest of the state as far as vaccination rates - just 65% have gotten at least one dose despite approval since May.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer's entire news conference can be viewed HERE.