USA: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines approved for children under 6 years of age

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unanimously approved Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for young children, paving the way for the first vaccines to be available in the US next week.

The Moderna vaccine, given in two doses, has been specially approved for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The Pfizer vaccine, this time given in three doses, for children aged six months to 4 years. It is the last age group that has not yet received this protection in the US, as in many countries.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FDA) also approved the Moderna vaccine for children aged 6 to 17 years. The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for use in children as young as 5 years old in the country.

“Many parents, caregivers and doctors have been waiting for a vaccine for the youngest children, and this action will protect children from the age of six months,” FDA President Robert Calif said in a statement. “As we have seen in older age groups, these vaccines for younger children will provide protection against the most serious cases of Covid-19, such as hospital admissions and deaths.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now expected to recommend these vaccines so that vaccinations can begin. The final green light will be given after the meeting of the expert, members of the advisory committee, which lasts for two days, today and tomorrow, Saturday.

But the US government has announced that once the FDA decision is made public, almost 10 million doses will be able to be sent in advance to the four corners of the country in advance, before millions more are shipped in the coming weeks. The necessary material for the vaccine, such as small needles, will also be provided.