Moderna has begun a trial of its COVID-19 vaccine on children, which will include those 6 months old up to 12 years old.

Pediatrician Dr. Hank Bernstein says vaccinating children should help to produce the herd immunity considered crucial to stopping the pandemic.

"Remember, there's 72 million children under the age of 18. So it is very important that children have the opportunity to be vaccinated against this disease, not just to protect themselves but also to protect transmission to their families and communities," says Bernstein.

About 6,700 children in Moderna's study will get two doses of the vaccine spaced about 28 days apart. The goal is to determine if the vaccine is safe for children, and the best dose of vaccine to give them.

But Mia Greco, of Bellmore, says her daughter Emily won't be getting the vaccine. She claimed that research she saw connected reproduction issues to the vaccine and concerns about long-term effects.

Others said they had worries now and wouldn't sign their kids up for the trial, but would be open once it was deemed safe.

The study will follow the children for a year to look for side effects and measure antibody levels that will help researchers determine whether the vaccine provides protection.