Long Island is a step closer to being able to provide adolescents with the COVID-19 vaccine after the FDA's emergency use authorization of Pfizer's shot for children 12 to 15.

What comes next will determine when shots will be able to start going into arms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Wednesday to issue its recommendations, then the agency's director would have to sign off.

Pediatricians are encouraging families to sign their kids up for the vaccine, while also addressing common concerns. There is currently no evidence that the vaccine harms growth or fertility, and it even works better at preventing illness when compared to adults.

"The studies show that the vaccine is 100% effective out of the 2,200 kids that were in the trial," says Dr. Sara Siddiqui, of NYU Langone Huntington Medical Group. "As each child, or each person becomes eligible in the family, I would recommend to get the vaccine as soon as possible."

If the CDC signs off on the emergency use recommendation, the first shots for children 12 and up could start as soon as Thursday.