MADISON, Wis. — As the vaccine for ages 5 to 11-year-olds begins to roll out, one fifth-grader looking forward to her first shot in the arm.

Paisley Krogman and her mom Sheri love stopping at Janesville's House of Mercy Homeless Center. But, with the pandemic, it's been tricky to complete a mission the 11-year-old started a few years ago.  

Paisley created 'Paisley's Packs' to provide the less fortunate with essentials filled in a backpack. 

House of Mercy's Manager Tammy King-Johnson has been beyond grateful for all of the goodies.

"We're seeing more and more families that are in cars. And people just don't have this guidance. And so, we need all the support we can get," King-Johnson said.

It's why Paisley decided she’d like to get vaccinated.

"Because some people have been like, if we walk up to them or try to approach them in a certain way, it might scare them and they might get startled," she said.

Paisley's mom knows this has been especially hard on her little girl who just wants to help.

"One of Paisley's responses was, 'you know, mom, I really don't like shots, but I feel like this one is important because I can protect myself and you can protect others,' ... and I'd like to go back to normal," Sheri said.

"Our kids really deserve this protection," Public Health Madison and Dane County immunization coordinator Sarah Hughes said.

"You know, I think we can we can trust that there's been the research and the data is all pointing us to that vaccines are safe and that this vaccine for children is safe," Hughes said.

Because King-Johnson believes kids interacting with their community still matters.

"Absolutely, to see someone as young as Paisley promoting the vaccine, we hope that other parents will listen and they'll get their kids vaccinated," King-Johnson said.

"We were trying to promote it to our residents in the shelter. And so, I think that you know, a young person like Paisley champions that the more we're going to see other young people in her age range, take advantage of the vaccine," she added.

Representatives with the Alliant Energy Center Arena say the site will offer kids an assortment of special treats — including books — stickers and other items when they receive the shot.  

If you’d like to learn more about Paisley’s Packs program, click here.