LEXINGTON, Ky. — Moderna is seeking authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a vaccine that would be available for children 6 months to 5 years old. If approved, it would mean the youngest group of the U.S. population would now be eligible to receive a vaccine.
Milk and Honey Preschool, a child care facility in Lexington, weighed in about it.
What You Need To Know
Moderna announced Thursday it will seek authorization from the FDA for a vaccine that would be available for children under 6 years old
- Milk and Honey Preschool is a preschool and day care facility that’s been in the Lexington community for 40 years
- Kent Pittard took over the family business with his siblings after spending 12 years in the trucking industry
- The FDA will give its final say on Moderna’s request in June
Moderna announced Thursday it will seek authorization from the FDA for a vaccine that would be available for children under 6 years old
Milk and Honey Preschool, a long-time child care facility in Lexington, has been in business for nearly 40 years. Kent Pittard took over the business from his mother with his siblings after spending 12 years in the trucking industry.
“We really trust moms and dads to make the right decision for their children,’’ Pittard said of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Pittard is making sure the little ones are taken care of and ready for kindergarten. His day care currently sits at full capacity and did not shut down during the pandemic.
“We’ve always had kids around. This is what our family does,” said Pittard.
As of Thursday, all 130 of his children now fall under a category where Moderna is seeking authorization from the FDA for children 6 months to 5 years to get vaccinated. When asked if Pittard would ever make vaccinations a requirement in his facility for children under 6, he put it simply:
“We would never do that.”
Pittard puts his trust in families for circumstances that involve medical decision making, and said he leans most on his faith.
“Our philosophy is we’re always going to take care of the children the way moms and dads want us to take care of them,” Pittard said. “Our family prays, our family prays over the business, over the children and their families. We know that we’re ok.”
Pittard also depends on his staff. Most of them have stuck with him through the pandemic and through guideline changes. Others have just joined the 40-year-old child care facility recently.
Sandra Wakefield was tasked Thursday with making mac and cheese, which she says is a favorite at the center. She says the best ingredient for the children’s lunch isn’t edible.
“Love, love, love is the best ingredient,” said Wakefield.
Continuing to run a child care facility has come with a lot of adjustments for Pittard and his staff, but he says it’s all about communication with families, transparency.
“Our families are fantastic and if they’ve got concerns, they’re quick to let us know and we don’t get any surprises if they’ve got questions about things we’re doing,” said Wakefield.
A final decision regarding Moderna’s authorization request will be completed in June.