Exciting news for parents of young children: COVID-19 vaccinations for those under 5 years old could receive approval in the United States by the end of June, marking a significant milestone 18 months after vaccines were first made available to adults.
During a White House briefing, Dr. Emily Carter, the Biden administration’s coronavirus response coordinator, outlined the expected timeline for emergency use authorization of vaccines for this age group. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will evaluate data from Pfizer and Moderna in meetings scheduled for June 14 and 15. “We anticipate a decision from the FDA shortly after these advisory committee meetings, and we are optimistic about how this will unfold,” Carter stated, as reported by CNN.
However, the FDA’s authorization is just one step in the process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also need to provide its recommendations post-authorization. If approved, the CDC will conduct additional advisory meetings, and the final recommendations will come from the CDC director.
Carter emphasized that while the outcome remains uncertain, the White House is actively preparing for a potential vaccine rollout by collaborating with local health departments, pediatricians, primary care providers, and pharmacies. “We expect vaccinations to commence as early as Tuesday, June 21, and to continue throughout that week,” she noted, stressing that this timeline depends on the FDA and CDC processes proceeding as expected.
Once the vaccines are authorized, Carter expressed confidence that appointment availability will be widespread, highlighting that family physicians will administer most vaccinations rather than pharmacies. The Biden administration is making “10 million doses” available to states, allowing them to begin placing orders. “Our aim is to ensure that within weeks, every parent eager to vaccinate their child will have access to an appointment,” she added.
An April 2022 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that approximately 18% of parents with children under 5 are ready to vaccinate immediately, while 38% prefer to wait and see how the vaccine performs with others. On the other hand, around 40% of parents are hesitant, with 27% stating they would “definitely not” vaccinate their child and 11% indicating they would only do so if mandated. Over half of parents in this age group feel they lack sufficient information regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines for young children. Both Pfizer and Moderna have asserted that their vaccines are safe and effective based on their studies, with Moderna’s vaccine being a two-dose regimen and Pfizer’s a three-dose series.
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In summary, the anticipated approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 could occur by June 21, with preparations underway for widespread availability of appointments. The process includes critical steps from both the FDA and CDC to ensure the vaccines’ safety and efficacy for young children.