Initial orders of the updated COVID-19 bivalent vaccines for children as young as 6 months of age are expected to arrive in Hawaii early next week, according to a news release from the state Department of Health on Friday.

Health care providers can administer the bivalent vaccines as soon as they arrive.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for keiki-sized vaccines on Thursday and the state DOH submitted orders to supply participating health care providers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to include children ages 6 months through 5 years old on Friday.

Children ages 6 months through 5 years old who completed the two-dose primary series of Moderna vaccines are eligible for a Moderna bivalent booster two months after their final primary series dose.

Children ages 6 months through 4 years old who received two of the three doses of Pfizer’s primary series will receive a Pfizer bivalent vaccine as their third primary dose. Children who completed all three doses of Pfizer’s primary series are not yet eligible for a bivalent booster.

“The authorization of these updated bivalent vaccines comes at a good time,” said state Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “Now young children can get the same protection adults have as families gather for the holidays.”

Parents can find information about providers and the services they offer at vaccines.gov or by visiting the vaccine finder map at hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/.