The White House announced a plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines for younger children—once authorized—ahead of next week’s FDA advisory meeting.
Biden’s plan follows a similar strategy as those for adult and older kids’ vaccinations, including making doses available at pharmacies, hospitals, doctors offices and health clinics
The plan includes distribution of 10 million vaccines to start, but it remains unclear which doses will be part of the first launch and how many doses will be available from each company.
“While many parents are eager to vaccinate their youngest children, others have questions. To ensure that parents and families have answers to their questions and information from sources that they trust, HHS will work with a broad range of national organizations to launch a national public education campaign that reaches parents, guardians, and families with facts and information that they need to make informed choices for both their youngest and their older children,” the White House said.
The FDA and CDC advisory committees are both holding meetings next week. After each meeting, the agency head will decide whether to move forward with the doses. The FDA’s committee will meet June 14 for Moderna’s pending vaccines, and June 15 for Pfizer’s and Moderna’s youngest age group application. The CDC is meeting on June 17 and 18.
