CDC and FDA clear the way for COVID vaccines for kids under 5 [View all]

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Source: CBS News

Some 20 million babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on unanimous votes from her agency's outside vaccine advisers to recommend shots from Moderna as well as Pfizer and BioNTech for children as young as six months old.

"Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation's fight against COVID-19," Walensky said in a statement. Around a third of parents say they plan to get their child in the age group vaccinated, according to CDC survey findings released on Saturday. Some of the long-awaited shots could begin as soon as this holiday weekend. Federal officials expect the bulk of vaccinations will commence after doctor's offices reopen on Tuesday.

"We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today's decision, they can. I encourage parents and caregivers with questions to talk to their doctor, nurse, or local pharmacist to learn more about the benefits of vaccinations and the importance of protecting their children by getting them vaccinated," added Walensky. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted following a two day-long meeting to mull data on the benefits and risks of the shots in young children.

A panel of the Food and Drug Administration's own outside advisers had also voted unanimously on Wednesday to back authorization. "Those trusted with the care of children can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of these COVID-19 vaccines and can be assured that the agency was thorough in its evaluation of the data," FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said in a statement. The FDA also moved on Friday to add Moderna's vaccine as an alternative to Pfizer's shots in children 6 through 17 years old, though the CDC said their advisers will not vote on updated recommendations for those shots until next week.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-vaccine-kids-under-5-pfizer-moderna-fda-authorize/

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CDC ACIP had a short meeting yesterday (Saturday) and had their final vote for the youngest children (6 months - 5 years for Moderna and 6 months - 4 years for Pfizer) which was unanimous, and last evening, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky signed off, so all the approvals for the very youngest children are done. I.e., anyone older than 6 months - adult, are now authorized for some brand of a COVID-19 vaccine.

CDC is scheduled to meet again next week (June 22 - 23, 2022) to discuss a variety of vaccines with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children and adolescents (ages 6 - 17), that is scheduled for the morning session on 6/23/22, where they will do their final review and vote for Moderna's version of this vaccine (Pfizer's version for ages 5 - 11 and 12+ are already approved and available).