ORLANDO, Fla. — Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Florida, with positivity rates consistently in the double digits statewide.

What You Need To Know

  • Coronavirus positivity rates are in double digits statewide

  • Department of Health in Orange County reported Monday’s 14-day rolling positivity rate at 20%

  • Pfizer announced three doses of its COVID-19 vaccine protects kids under 5

The Department of Health in Orange County reported Monday’s 14-day rolling positivity rate at 20%, an increase of 1% from May 19.

 

Meanwhile, Pfizer announced Monday that three doses of its COVID-19 vaccine offers strong protection for kids younger than 5. But many parents of kids in that age range aren’t in a rush to vaccinate.

A recent study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found about 2 in 5 parents of kids under the age of 5 want to wait and see whether to get their child vaccinated, while 1 in 5 in that category want to vaccinate them right away.

Justine Vinson, a mother of two young children, is in the former camp.

“I’m not sure about young children quite yet,” she told Spectrum News 13. “Still a little reluctant.”

Pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Muszynski said Pfizer’s data is solid, and he encouraged parents who are on the fence to speak with their pediatrician instead of scouring internet search engines.

“If you want to keep (the kids) healthier and keep grandma and grandpa at home healthier — those with underlying conditions who may be around the children healthier — then it’s important to vaccinate them,” he said. “It is safe, it is effective and there’s really no reason to hesitate.”

Pfizer plans to give its data to U.S. regulators later this week.