|
Dear Colleagues,
The long-awaited approval of COVID-19 vaccines for infants and children ages 6 months to under 5 years has arrived! Please help support and promote vaccination for this age group so we can better protect children and families from COVID-19.
As you know, on June 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of COVID-19 Vaccines from Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna for children starting at age 6 months.
On June 18, 2022, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the use of these COVID-19 vaccines for children starting at age 6 months. Together, their support authorizes widespread administration of the vaccine.
Young children are at risk for contracting COVID-19, and some can get seriously ill. Even if a child doesn’t get severely ill, they could face long-term health consequences or pass the virus to others. The best way to protect children against COVID-19—in daycare, school, sports, and with their friends—is by getting them vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccines for young children are safe and effective. Like other pediatric vaccines, these vaccines were thoroughly tested and then reviewed by the FDA and CDC before these agencies authorized and recommended them for wide use. The vaccines will be available at no cost and regardless of citizenship or insurance status.
We have an important opportunity to make sure that very young children can get protection from COVID-19 safely and quickly through this vaccine. We encourage you, and the partners you work with, to refer to the CDC’s COVID-19 primary series vaccination recommendations and encourage families to talk to a pediatrician, family physician, nurse practitioner, or another trusted healthcare provider about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Families will soon be able to start scheduling vaccine appointments for infants and children ages 6 months to 5 years at places like pediatricians’ offices, children’s hospitals, community health centers and pharmacies. For those who may be having difficulty finding vaccines in their community, Vaccines.gov makes it easy for anyone to find a nearby vaccine location and appointment availability. As the vaccination program ramps up, Vaccines.gov will be live next week with availability and appointments increasing throughout the week.
Meanwhile, we must also continue to promote routine immunizations for all to prevent the spread of other infectious diseases.
Thank you for all that you have done, and continue to do, to ensure that mothers, children, and families throughout our nation continue to thrive and reach their full potential.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Warren, MD, MPH, FAAP
Associate Administrator, Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Health Resources and Services Administration
|
