The Food and Drug Administration has authorized Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 through 11. Children will receive two, 10-microgram doses of the vaccine three weeks apart. The children's dose is one-third of the dose given to adults and adolescents.
The FDA said that the vaccine is both safe and effective, citing clinical trials showing that the vaccine has an efficacy of over 90% at preventing COVID-19 in young children.
"As a mother and a physician, I know that parents, caregivers, school staff, and children have been waiting for today's authorization. Vaccinating younger children against COVID-19 will bring us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy," said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. "Our comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the data pertaining to the vaccine's safety and effectiveness should help assure parents and guardians that this vaccine meets our high standards."
Before the vaccines can be administered, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must also sign off. An advisory committee is scheduled to meet next week to discuss the vaccine. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky will then have the final say if the vaccine is authorized.
That decision could come as early as Tuesday, meaning that it may be possible for some kids to be fully vaccinated by Thanksgiving if they get their first shot before next Thursday.
The Biden administration has purchased enough doses to innoculate all 28 million children in the country and is ready to distribute the shots as soon as they are approved.