A few cried. Some celebrated with stickers and candy. Others say they're excited to eventually stop wearing masks.
The first kid-sized doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine are being given out across the country after the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization in late October for children ages 5 to 11. Previously, the vaccines had only been approved for people 12 and over.
At East Lansing High School, appointments for children's COVID shots Tuesday filled up within an hour of becoming available. Close to 200 kids rushed to get the jab at the clinic hosted by the Ingham County Health Department.
Among them was 6-year-old Kirby Repko. Kirby said he knew the vaccine would "get away all the germs," but felt some butterflies before his afternoon appointment
"I'm a little nervous," he said.
Eight-year-old Evelyn Caballero admitted she cried "a little" after getting vaccinated, although she put on a brave face in front of her 5-year-old sister, Olivia, who also got vaccinated at ELHS.
Heath Doblas-Burt says the COVID vaccine "hurt a little bit" and was comparable to his flu shot. The 8-year-old offered advice for other kids seeking distraction as they roll up their sleeves.
"Hold your muscles so you don't feel a thing," he said. "Squeeze your hands and bite your teeth."
For Dalia Fermaglich, 11, the process was "really fun."
She's excited to eventually get her second dose and be "majorly" protected from the coronavirus.
"I'm really happy because now I'll be able to you know, see my friends and stuff inside," she said.
Heath also looks forward to things getting back to normal.
"I guess I could wear my mask off," he said. "It's going to be a good life."