YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Doctors and hospitals have been treating Covid-19 patients since infections ramped up about eighteen months ago.

Yankton Doctor Mike Pietila says they have learned a lot during the pandemic.

Pietila says they have more treatments available now.

Pietila says heading it off before it starts is the best treatment for Covid-19.

Pietila heads up the Intensive Care Unit at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

An FDA panel has approved kid size doses of Pfizers Covid-19 vaccine for children ages five to eleven. Full agency approval is expected to follow in the next few days.

Liz Healy, infection control specialist with Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says vaccinating those kids will go a long way in getting Covid under control.

Healy says it looks like Covid-19 will be a long term virus.

Healy says the vaccines have a good track record.

If the FDA and the CDC agree on the recommendation, the shots for kids could be available as soon as next week.