The US has recommended that children aged five to 11 be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, allowing providers to begin the vaccination process immediately.
The Centre of Disease and Control (CDC) Director Rochelle P. Walensky concluded that COVID-19 vaccine recommendations would be expanded to five to 11-year-olds, equating to around 28 million children in the United States. The decision has come after careful consideration, taking recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practises’ (ACIP), permitting providers to begin vaccinations. It has been confirmed that children will receive one-third of the adult dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine with smaller needles specifically designed for use on children.
This follows the authorisation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be used on adolescents aged 12-17 years old in the US, with this age group receiving the same dosage as adults.
The effects of COVID-19 on Children
COVID-19 cases in children are continuously growing at a rapid pace, with hospitalisations, deaths, MIS-C (inflammatory syndromes) and long-term complications arising as a result. From late June to mid-August this year, an increase in hospitalisations in children and adolescents occurred after a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Delta variant.
Preventing COVID-19 in children through vaccination
Preventive measures such as vaccines and mask-wearing can protect children from COVID-19, reducing the risk of symptoms and complications such as hospitalisation and severe disease. New clinical trial data confirmed a nearly 91% success rate in preventing COVID-19 amongst children aged five to 11 years, similar results as to what was found in the adult vaccine trials. The trial also highlighted that children did experience side effects; however, these were mild, self-limited and were similar to what adults may experience. The most common side effect found was a sore arm amongst all age groups.
In the US, COVID-19 vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in history, with further observations still being made. The CDC is encouraging that getting children vaccinated with safe and effective vaccines can help protect people against COVID-19 as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by controlling the transmission.
The vaccine rollout to five to 11-year-olds is taking shape this week, with vaccinations being distributed to thousands of paediatric healthcare provider offices, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, schools, and more organisations across the US. Plans are also in place to scale up to full capacity starting on November 8, with the White House confirming they have secured vaccine doses for 28 million children.
Doctor Walensky said: “Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated, and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mum, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their paediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”
