COVID-19 Vaccine for Young Children: What to Expect in the US

Strategic Insights -

As the US Food and Drug Administration considers authorizing the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, pediatricians' offices, pharmacies, and schools are preparing to administer doses to young arms. According to Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, pediatricians are being enrolled to administer the vaccine, and pharmacies and schools will also be involved. Once the vaccine is authorized, parents can contact their pediatricians' offices to make appointments for their children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet later this month to discuss Pfizer's data for the COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11.
  • If the committee recommends the shot and the FDA OKs it, a panel of CDC vaccine advisers will meet to consider whether to recommend its use in this age group.
  • Pediatricians, pharmacies, and schools are preparing to administer COVID-19 shots to children ages 5 to 11 once the vaccine is authorized.
  • The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for young children will come in packages of 100 doses, much smaller than the packages of 1,170 doses used for adult vaccines.
  • Parents can contact their pediatricians' offices to ask whether they plan on providing the COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 to 11 and prepare to make appointments once the vaccine is authorized.
  • Schools are being discussed as potential vaccination sites, with Virginia planning to partner with public schools to help rollout COVID-19 vaccinations.

Statistics:

  • Between 50% and 75% of pediatricians are enrolled to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to young children.
  • The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for young children will be shipped in packages of 100 doses.
  • Pharmacies have been enrolled as COVID-19 vaccine providers and are familiar with storing and handling the vaccine.

Sources:

  • CNN
  • Association of Immunization Managers
  • Virginia Governor Ralph Northam
  • Dr. Krupa Playforth, a board-certified pediatrician in Alexandria, Virginia