ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools kicked off its vaccine push Tuesday for students aged 5-11 who are now eligible for a COVID Vaccine. The district was at six high schools Tuesday.

With 500 doses of the coronavirus vaccine available for children aged 5-11, by  3:30 p.m. a line of about 100 people snaked around the University High School courtyard. 

Jeremy Nelson brought his 8-year-old son Cole to get vaccinated.

"Just trying to look out for our neighbors and friends," Nelson said after his son received his shot. "We have the opportunity to do this, and some feel comfortable and I was willing to be the guinea pig for my family and they were ready now so here we are."

OCPS set up vaccination sites at five other high schools Tuesday; Boone, Apopka, Evans, Ocoee, and Freedom. The district plans to be at all 22 high schools over the course of the next five days.

According to the district, 91,688 Orange County students are between the ages of 5-11, and Tuesday was the district's big push to try and help vaccinate them before the winter break. Some families said they were eager for the chance.

“Went really quick when it first touched my skin," Cole Nelson said, pointing at his band-aid. "It hurt and actually when it went in it stopped.”

OCPS officials did not say when students vaccinated Tuesday will be able to get their second dose. District officials said they are waiting to see what type of numbers they experience and then will strategize.

According to information released by OCPS Tuesday night, a total of 1,373 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered at the six school sites — of those, 1,003 were for children aged 5-11.

The walk-up events are open to all OCPS families and any members of the community who need to get their COVID-19 vaccination. While children 5-11 can only get the Pfizer vaccine, all brands and boosters are available at each site.

"These clinics are scheduled so that children can be fully vaccinated and protected against COVID by the Winter Break holidays," OCPS said in a statement Tuesday. "We hope parents will seriously consider the opportunity to vaccinate their children, and consult with their child’s medical provider if they have questions or concerns."