COVID vaccines and young children: Here's what Rhode Islanders need to know

PROVIDENCE -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday authorized inoculation of young children with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why are the vaccines being offered to preschoolers, toddlers and babies?

The FDA’s vaccine chief, Dr. Peter Marks, said during a June 15 meeting of the agency's outside advisory committee that data shows a “quite troubling surge” in hospitalizations of children during the omicron surge “and noted 442 children under 4 have died during the pandemic,” according to the Associated Press. “That’s far fewer than adult deaths, but should not be dismissed in considering the need for vaccinating the youngest kids, [Marks] said,” the AP reported.

Which age groups are eligible for each vaccine?

The Moderna vaccine is authorized for children six months through 5 years old. The Pfizer-BioNTech product is authorized for children six months through 4 years old.

Is this young group the final age group that will be eligible to be vaccinated?

Yes. All other age groups have become successively eligible over the last many months. The last group to begin receiving a vaccine was children age 5 to 11; in Rhode Island, inoculations with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began in November.

Where will the vaccines be available?

Many places, including hospitals, pediatric practices and federally qualified health centers.

“To facilitate timely vaccine delivery, pediatricians in private practice and health centers have been preparing for this approval day, as we know so many families of young children are beyond ready to protect their children. I recommend families call their physician to learn how the office is providing vaccine to their young patients,” Dr. Elizabeth B. Lange, president of the Rhode Island Medical Society and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics who practices at Coastal Medical’s Waterman Pediatrics, told The Journal.

What about pharmacies?

“The federal PREP Act allows pharmacies to vaccinate children 3 and older against COVID-19,” a Rhode Island Department of Health spokesman wrote in an email. “Normally, the age is 9 for vaccination in a pharmacy. However, some pharmacies may not vaccinate younger children. Each chain pharmacy is developing their own policies now.”

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CVS is one such chain. What are its plans?

“We plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to children 18 months through four years of age at our national network of 1,100 MinuteClinic locations once authorized by the CDC and supply is received,” Matt Blanchette, CVS senior manager for retail communications, wrote in an email.

Walgreens?

Its stores will also be offering the vaccines, to children 3 and older. "The CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccine to everyone ages 6 months and older. The COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone 3 and older at Walgreens," the company posted on its website.

When will the vaccines be available in RI?

"Vaccine for this population will be available in the offices of healthcare providers early next week," state Health Department spokesman Joseph Wendelken wrote in an email on Wednesday. "Some offices may even be making appointments for Monday. In addition to these primary care sites, vaccinating will be happening in many pharmacies, hospitals, and health centers. (The chain pharmacies are ordering their own vaccine. It is possible that some sites could have vaccine available a little before Monday, but families should expect wide vaccine availability next week.)"

On Monday, a press release issued by Gov. Dan McKee's office said “it’s great news that some of our youngest Rhode Islanders are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We are partnering with pediatricians, family physicians, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers throughout the state to ensure that kids can be vaccinated in the settings that are most familiar and comfortable. Getting your child vaccinated against COVID-19 now is an important step that parents and families can take to provide protection this summer and into the fall, when kids are heading back to school.”

You can also find a clinic near you at Vaccines.Gov.

Are the doses for preschoolers, toddlers and babies the same strength as for older groups?

No. Pfizer proposes a series of three doses, each one-tenth the strength of the adult version. Moderna plans a series of two doses of its product, each a quarter the adult strength.

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How many Rhode Island children are eligible for the vaccine?

"There are approximately 56,000 children in Rhode Island younger than age 5," Wendelken told The Journal.

How many doses will be coming to the state?

"We have ordered 20,800 doses in our initial order. (This is the most we were able to order.)," Wendelken said. "We will be making our next order next week."

Is there an expectation that parents will have their youngsters vaccinated?

Lange hopes so, telling The Journal that “vaccination is a very important part of prevention against significant COVID illness as well as spread of illness. Pediatricians and families are so pleased that a COVID vaccine will soon be approved for the youngest children.”

But a Kaiser Family Foundation poll indicates there will be opposition. According to Kaiser, its COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey “finds that about one in five parents of children under age 5 (18%) are eager to get their child vaccinated right away, while a larger share (38%) say they plan to wait a while to see how the vaccine is working for others. About four in ten parents of children under 5 are more reluctant to get their child vaccinated with 27% saying they will ‘definitely not’ get their child vaccinated.”

Editor's Note: This story was updated on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: COVID-19 vaccines and young children: What Rhode Islanders need to know