Some Long Island pediatricians are disappointed with the amount of parents who have gotten their children vaccinated against COVID-19 so far.

It's been more than a month since the Food and Drug Administration authorized the vaccine for kids as young as 6 months old, but a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows 43% of parents with children under the age of 5 said they would "definitely not" have them vaccinated.

The same study found that 27% of parents said they will wait to see if there any side effects in those who get the shot, and 13% said they would only have their children vaccinated if it's required.

The No. 1 concern cited by parents in the survey was that the vaccine is "too new" and they are afraid of side effects.

Experts like Dr. John Zaso, a member of the Nassau County Board of Health and a pediatrician with a practice in East Meadow, say that the vaccine is safe and effective.

"We have well over a year and a half of track record giving the vaccine," Zaso says. "We started giving it here in the office to kids 6 months and up, and we're not seeing any major side effects."

Experts like Zaso say it's vital that parents speak to their pediatrician before making a decision.

He says they are not naturally immune and seeing some children get COVID over and over again.

"Those kids that get multiple cases can on to develop long COVID, which is a big problem," Zaso says. "So, we want to avoid those long-term complications by vaccinating earlier on."

Only 17% of parents with children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years say they have gotten their children vaccinated.

Only about a third of U.S. children aged 5 to 11 have been vaccinated even though approval for that age group was granted in October.