Ian Patrick, FISM News
The White House continues to plan their fight against COVID-19 as the federal government recently revealed their intentions on how to get the shot to kids ages 5 to 11 as soon as it is approved for emergency use.
During an update from the White House COVID-19 Response Team, Coordinator Jeff Zients said the administration expects authorization for Pfizer’s drug to be used in the younger age group in the next few weeks. With this in mind, the White House said they are trying to find ways to meet the “specific needs” of kids with regard to protection from COVID-19.
Zients announced that the Biden administration will be making vaccines widely available by enrolling “more than 25,000 pediatricians, family doctors, and other primary care providers to administer vaccines.”
“By sending vaccines to pediatricians, pharmacies, community health centers, and rural health centers; working with children’s hospitals to host vaccination sites, including on nights and weekends; helping schools stand up vaccination clinics; and deploying mobile clinics to meet families where they are, we will ensure that vaccinations for kids ages 5 through 11 are easy, convenient, and accessible to every family,” he added.
He also announced that, with many of Biden’s other policies, “equity and fairness will be at the center of our pediatric vaccination program.”
Part of the program includes “a national public education campaign” which aims to equip trusted local leaders, including those in religious institutions, with government information regarding the vaccine.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy further detailed this information saying, “we will make sure that we are reaching parents in their language and through the people they trust.”
“We are all hoping that this process will culminate with the option to vaccinate our children ages 5 to 11. And if that option becomes available, we will be ready to ensure that everyone has both the information and the access they need to protect their families,” he added.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently deciding on authorization for Pfizer’s candidate for this age group, which was used in a trial that “included over 2,000 children worldwide.” Pfizer said “the vaccine was safe, well-tolerated and showed robust neutralizing antibody responses.”
The FDA is carefully evaluating the drug for use in younger children. Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. said in a statement that the administration “will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of clinical trial data submitted in support of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine used in a younger pediatric population, which may need a different dosage or formulation from that used in an older pediatric population or adults.”