The United States has given a nod to Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for children as young as 6 months. The US FDA granted emergency authorization for the use of Pfizer and Moderna jabs in the youngest children. This age group is the final age group that was awaiting immunization against the deadly COVID-19. This implies almost every person in the US is now eligible for vaccination.Â
“Many parents, caregivers, and clinicians have been waiting for a vaccine for younger children; and this action will help protect those down to six months of age,” said the Food and Drug Administration chief Robert Califf in a statement. Adding to it, “We expect that the vaccines for younger children will provide protection from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19; such as hospitalization and death.”Â
Which are the vaccines other than Pfizer?
The agency authorized Moderna’s two-dose vaccine for children aged six months to five years. Also, three doses of Pfizer’s shots were approved for those between six months and four years old. The decision comes after the FDA’s committee of independent vaccine experts voted unanimously to recommend the jabs. In a lengthy meeting, the committee analyzed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines.Â
However, it must be recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before they are put into use. Moreover, the US government has said that 10 million doses could immediately be sent around the country; followed by millions more in subsequent weeks.Â
