Within days, children ages 12 to 15 could get the COVID-19 vaccine in Oklahoma after what the FDA called a "significant step" in the fight against the pandemic.Oklahoma State Department of Health officials said they're waiting on word from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once they get it, middle school children will be allowed to get vaccinated before the start of school this fall."We're anticipating their meeting tomorrow," Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said Tuesday. "So, we anticipate by Thursday we should be rolling out with administering vaccines to adolescents."Reed said vaccinating children ages 12 to 15 is important to stop the transmission of COVID-19 in the community. The state is waiting on the advisory committee on immunization practices group that works with the CDC."They make their recommendation to move forward to the CDC, and then the CDC gives us that final green light," Reed said. "That's what we'll wait for before we start in Oklahoma."Reed told KOCO 5 that there's plenty of the Pfizer vaccine ready to go in Oklahoma, saying the dosage for adolescents will be the same as it's been for adults."We do require parental consent for anybody under the age of 18, so that is one requirement," he said.Getting this age group vaccinated is another big step toward 70% herd immunity while decreasing infection rates."When they get vaccinated, they do protect themselves because there is always some risk for them," Reed said. "And they're also protecting family members and neighbors and friends."Once the green light is given to the state health department, parents will be able to get the shot for their children the same way adults have. They can either schedule an appointment through the state's portal or by going through the walk-in process.