Demand for COVID-19 vaccines is rising in Forsyth County after FDA approves shots for those under 5

Forsyth County's youngest residents are now getting vaccinated for COVID-19.

Since federal officials OK'd the shots for those under five, Forsyth County Public Health Director Joshua Swift says they've seen an increase in demand across the board. 

“We were down to where we were seeing 12 to 15 people per day. Since we started seeing the youngest children, we are up to 40, 50, 60, 70 per day, and it's not all just little children," says Swift."It just seems like there's more interest in people coming in to get the vaccine.”

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are beginning to decrease slightly in the county. Cases are down by 3% in Forsyth, but the percent positive rate is high, hovering around 20%. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified viral risk level in the county as medium. The agency says 11 North Carolina counties, including Stokes, Davie, and Yadkin, are considered at high risk of illness and strain on the health care system. 

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is offering shots to children under five by appointment only. More information can be found on their website.