COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5 begin in NC at Walgreens, CVS, other locations

North Carolina has already ordered 118,000 doses of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 years old and under. Parents and doctors say they're eager to protect the youngest in the community.

Mairin Roddy is ready to take on the world. But first, kindergarten.

"[Mairin] loves ‘Encanto’ songs ... she's just super fun and feisty and funny," her mother Jackie said.

Mairin's getting her first Moderna shot on Wednesday at Health Park Pharmacy.

"I was just lucky enough to check their website when they were releasing appointments, and I was like, 'Oh!' I texted another couple moms, and we're all just very excited that it was finally our chance," said Jackie Roddy.

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Jackie Roddy said her 8-year-old son is already vaccinated, but they haven't been able to fully relax yet.

"It's been frustrating having to deal with all the quarantines that have been a thing of the past for manny people," she said. "It's still been anongoing issue for us. My son had COVID three weeks ago, and [Mairin] had to stay home because she wasn't vaccinated."

In Durham, Dr. Laura Kirby has two children under the age of five.

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"It's definitely been a huge challenge in terms of keeping everybody safe," said Kirby.

Kirby has tackled that challenge creatively by writing a children's book to help kids frame their pandemic experiences.

"As a psychologist, I know that [the pandemic] is taking a big mental toll on our kids — just being out ot school, out of camp this summer," she said.

Kirby said her children's vaccination appointments are a relief.

"We're just so grateful at this point for the vaccines, and it represents hopefully a return to normalcy a little bit," said Kirby.

"It's been kind of lonely watching everybody move on, but we're so grateful that we have the privilege of keeping them at home during this time to keep them safe," said Kate Miller, who has four-year-old twins.

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Health Park Pharmacy owner Steve Adkins said the pharmacy has received 3,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Adkins says patience will be key, as they vaccinate 3- and 4-year-olds against the virus. As of Monday afternoon, the pharmacy has almost 100 children signed up to get their shots.

"We're just asking parents to please work with our team. We're trying to do this as quickly and efficiently as possible. Just be prepared to hold your child in the event there are some issues," said Adkins.

Adkins said pharmacy workers try to make the experience fun.

"We try to give them something to keep them busy. We try to give them a backdrop, make them feel important after they've gotten their vaccine," he said.

In addition, pharmacy employees have stickers and lollipops for children.

Liam Pinette mother, Julie, said she's breathing a sigh of relief on Tuesday.

"I wasn't going to be excited until it was in his arm because it's been a bit of a rollercoaster the last 14 months and are they doing it or they not," she said.

Health Park Pharmacy nurse Susan Odell said the three and four-year-olds who received their vaccine on Tuesday were fabulous.

"What has worked really well today is for the child to se in the parent's lap," said Odell.