Five Long Island teens were among some of the first in the 12-15 age group to roll up their sleeves Thursday for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Just this week, federal health advisors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formally endorsed the use of Pfizer's vaccine in kids as young as 12. The CDC quickly accepted the recommendation.

Two of the five teens vaccinated at Cohen's Children Medical Center in New Hyde Park were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when they were born. The teens say they hope the vaccine will help keep them and their families safe.

"Looking forward to travel to my country and see my family again," says 15-year-old Edis Kacamakovic. "I haven't seen them in five years."

Michael Binparuis, 13, also has cystic fibrosis and says this past year has been tough.

"It was mainly just staying inside all day and just maybe going out to my backyard if I really just wanted to go outside," says Binparuis.

Dr. Joan Deceli-Germana, medical director of Pediatrics Cystic Fibrosis Center, says for kids with underlying conditions like cystic fibrosis it is very important for them to get vaccinated.

"Some kids don't do well with the virus, most do OK, but especially with an underlying disease like cystic fibrosis where we spent so much time taking care of the lungs and keeping them as healthy as possible," says Deceli-Germana.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the 12-to-15 age group now accounts for more than 20% of new COVID-19 cases in the country.

Cuomo says getting the younger population vaccinated will allow progress toward winning the war against the coronavirus.