On Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed a low-dose version of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. The approved vaccine is one-third of the amount given to adults.
With the CDC’s green light, parents can now seek vaccinations for their children immediately. The Food and Drug Administration had recently authorized COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11 but needed the CDC’s endorsement before the shots could become available.
With this recommendation, most children and all teens can now be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.” –The CDC, in a statement
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky encouraged parents to consult their pediatricians about the importance of vaccinating their young children.
What’s Next?
The CDC’s endorsement of a vaccine for young children is welcome news for many parents. Children are still susceptible to COVID-19 and its effects, and the risk of infection has only gone up as more students returned to in-person learning this fall.
Parents should speak with their children’s pediatricians about getting them vaccinated. Not only can this help protect young children, but it can also help protect others by preventing the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, it may be a requirement for in-person learning in certain school districts for 2022.
The CDC announced that the low-dose children’s vaccines have started to be distributed across the country already, with more coming soon.
For more information about vaccinations among children and teens, visit the CDC website.
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