White House lays out plan to vaccinate kids ages 5 to 11
White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients: "We know millions of parents have been waiting for COVID-19 vaccine for kids in this age group. And should the FDA and CDC authorize the vaccine, we will be ready to get shots in arms."
The Biden administration on Wednesday outlined its plan to vaccinate millions of kids ages 5 to 11 as soon as the COVID-19 shot is approved for younger children...
Like these sisters who recently took part in a vaccine trial at Duke University, kids will get their shots at clinics in more than 100 children's hospital systems nationwide as well as doctor's offices, pharmacies and potentially schools, the White House said, readying doses ahead of the busy holiday season.
White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said the new vaccination campaign would be tailored for children:
"Kids have different needs than adults in our operational planning is geared to meet those specific needs, including by offering vaccinations in settings that parents and kids are familiar with and trust."
He also said the administration had worked with Pfizer to modify the packaging of the pediatric doses to make it easier to administer to children, including providing smaller needles.
Food and Drug Administration officials are reviewing the Pfizer/BioNTech application seeking approval of its 2-dose vaccine for younger children, with its panel of outside advisers scheduled to weigh in on Oct. 26. The FDA typically follows the advice of its panel but is not required to do so.
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will next weigh in on recommendations for the vaccine at a Nov. 2 and 3 meeting.
Once approved, roughly 28 million more children in the United States would be eligible to receive what would be the first U.S.-approved vaccine to ward off the novel coronavirus in younger kids. The Pfizer/BioNTech shot is already approved for those ages 12-17, and the companies are still studying it for those younger than 5.
