US Prepares for COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout for Children Under 5

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared an updated pediatric COVID-19 vaccination planning guide, which outlines a plan for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years old. The guide notes that approximately 10 million doses of vaccine will be rolled out initially, with providers and facilities that have ordered doses expected to receive vaccine shipment on February 21.

Jeff Zients, the White House's coronavirus response coordinator, said that the US will be ready to roll out the vaccine for children under 5 once the FDA and CDC make their recommendations. "We can start packing and shipping the vaccine once FDA makes its decision," he said. The CDC is working with states to prepare for the rollout, and has secured enough vaccine supply for all 18 million children in this age group. The vaccine will be distributed in cartons of 100 doses, with each dose containing 3 micrograms of vaccine.

The rollout of the vaccine for children under 5 is expected to mirror the rollout for children ages 5 to 11 in October, with an emphasis on utilizing the current systems in place for the pharmacy program. Children younger than 3 will likely receive the vaccine at their pediatricians' offices or other sites, as federal regulations do not allow pharmacists to administer vaccines to children under the age of 3.

Key Takeaways:

• The US CDC has prepared an updated pediatric COVID-19 vaccination planning guide outlining a plan for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years old.
• Approximately 10 million doses of vaccine will be rolled out initially, with providers and facilities that have ordered doses expected to receive vaccine shipment on February 21.
• The US has secured enough vaccine supply for all 18 million children in this age group, with vaccine distributed in cartons of 100 doses, each containing 3 micrograms of vaccine.
• Children younger than 3 will likely receive the vaccine at their pediatricians' offices or other sites, as federal regulations do not allow pharmacists to administer vaccines to children under the age of 3.
• The rollout of the vaccine for children under 5 is expected to mirror the rollout for children ages 5 to 11 in October.
• The CDC is working with states to prepare for the rollout and has secured enough needles, syringes and kits, and these are all specially formulated for this age group.
• The vaccine rollout is expected to start packing and shipping the vaccine once FDA makes its decision.

Statistics:

• 10 million: approximately number of doses to be rolled out initially
• 18 million: total number of children 6 months to 5 years old in the US who will be eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19
• 3 micrograms: dose size of the vaccine
• 100 doses: number of doses per carton
• 10 vials: number of vials per carton
• 35-40%: percentage of children ages 5 to 11 who were vaccinated at pharmacies during the previous rollout
• 18 million: number of children in the US who will be eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Sources:

• CNN: Jacqueline Howard and Nadia Kounang
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Jeff Zients, White House's coronavirus response coordinator
• Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials
• Claire Hannan, director of the Association of Immunization Managers
• NACCHO: National Association of County and City Health Officials