CDC Recommends Pfizer COVID Pediatric Vaccine for Ages 5-11
By Joey Berlin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) immunization panel and the agency’s director signed off Tuesday on recommending the Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, allowing millions of children to receive their first shots against the disease.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unanimously voted to recommend the vaccine after Alejandra Gurtman, MD, Pfizer’s vice president of vaccine research and development, presented evidence on the safety of the shot series in that age group. Pfizer’s data showed that after the second dose, children aged 5-11 had less incidence of “systemic events,” including fever, fatigue, headache, and chills.

After ACIP took its vote, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, quickly endorsed the recommendation. A CDC statement said distribution of pediatric vaccines began this week, with “plans to scale up to full capacity” starting the week of Nov. 8.

“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,” Dr. Walensky said in the statement. “As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse, or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.” 

CDC said COVID-19 vaccines have and will continue to undergo “the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.”

“Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission,” the agency added.

For help talking to patients about vaccines, check out the frequently-asked-questions documents and other resources from TMA’s Vaccines Defend What Matters campaign.

Last Updated On

November 03, 2021

Originally Published On

November 03, 2021

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