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Why Adolescents Are Lagging Behind In The COVID-19 Vaccine Race

First Lady Jill Biden heads to the south on Tuesday, touring COVID-19 vaccination sites in Jackson, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee, where she’ll be joined by country star Brad Paisley. Their message: “Get vaccinated.”

So far a little more than 40% of Tennessee residents have had a single dose of vaccine, and less than 35% are fully vaccinated. That’s among the lowest rates in the country.

Also lagging nationwide are adolescents — the 12 to 17-year-olds who still need parental approval to get their shots.

So why does it matter? Host Tonya Mosley talks to Dr. Peter Hotez, Baylor University professor of pediatrics and virology.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

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