Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for more young people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as the federal government prepares to greenlight a shot for 5- to 11-year-olds as early as next month.

The approval of Pfizer's COVID-19 shot for kids 5 to 11 years old is expected to make around 1.5 million New York children eligible to get vaccinated.

The governor is encouraging parents to prepare for this moment by making appointments with their pediatricians now to make the vaccination process go more smoothly.

This all comes as Pfizer's shot is 93% effective at keeping kids ages 12 to 18 years old from getting hospitalized, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTuesday.

Hochul said she's exploring all options to make the vaccine available to the next age group once it's approved.

"I'm a parent [and] I'd feel best if my pediatrician could or we go to a local urgent care. It'll also be available at pharmacies, in the schools, and then we'll see if mass vax sites are the places people are going to feel most comfortable bringing their 5- to 11-year-old," said Hochul

More than 60% of 12- to 15-year-olds and nearly three-quarters of 16- to 25-year-olds in New York have gotten at least one shot.