Some Illinois counties have reached a high alert level under standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as rates continue to rise across the state.

Plus, there’s a new update on vaccines for children under the age of 5.

Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:

Pfizer Says 3 COVID Shots Protect Children Under 5

Three doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine offer strong protection for children younger than 5, the company announced Monday. Pfizer plans to give the data to U.S. regulators later this week in a step toward letting the littlest kids get the shots.

The news comes after months of anxious waiting by parents desperate to vaccinate their babies, toddlers and preschoolers, especially as COVID-19 cases once again are rising. The 18 million tots under 5 are the only group in the U.S. not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.