LAGRANGE, Ky. — After battling COVID-19 and still dealing with the long-term effects nearly ten months later, one LaGrange man is hoping to get his youngest children vaccinated to prevent the same outcome he has dealt with.

When the news of the FDA endorsing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 was released, the Queen family could not hide their excitement.

“We've been waiting, don't get it twisted. We had a screenshot of the news release and we said, 'Oh yay it's almost time!' As soon as they open up appointments, I'm scheduling it,” Damary and Corey Queen said.

Corey Queen is a COVID-19 long hauler, diagnosed in January of 2021 and is still recovering from symptoms of the virus 10 months later.

The two youngest children of the Queen family playing bingo (Spectrum News 1/Erin Wilson)

“As the doctors have said, we're still scratching the surface of what I'm dealing with. And if I had to be the one to go through this, I would do that 100 out of 100 times," Corey said. "If there's a chance of my children never having to go through this, of course I don't want them to have to deal with this."

The COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old is administered in two doses, three weeks apart at a lower dose of 10 micrograms, compared to 30 used for individuals 12 years and older.

“The vaccine at its current dosing has been tested in 11 year olds and it's been proven to be very effective. There's no data to say that you need a different dosing or that waiting will be better,” Dr. Daniel Blatt, Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases said. “I think the most important thing to do is get your child vaccinated as soon as possible so they are exposed to fewer days of COVID-19.”

The Queen family currently has 4 of the 6 family members fully vaccinated, and now they're waiting to get the shot of hope for their two youngest children. They hope that it prevents their 10 and 7 year old son and daughter from experiencing the same issues as their father.

“Seeing first hand how affected COVID-19 was, they saw their dad out and I think that was enough to realize if me getting the vaccine means I don't have to be like that or someone else doesn't have to be like that, then I don't have a problem getting that in my arm,” Damary said.

Pfizer’s clinical trial found the two-dose shot to be nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in 5- to 11-year-olds. The shots are administered three weeks apart.

Pfizer found no new or unexpected side effects. Those that did occur mostly consisted of sore arms, fever or achiness.