WASHINGTON – Last Wednesday, the White House released its COVID-19 vaccination plan that allows 5-to-11-year-olds to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The White House emphasized the importance of making the COVID-19 vaccine easier to make it as comfortable as possible for both the parents and their children.
Along with this plan is the government’s intention to release pediatric COVID-19 shots to mass vaccination areas that the parents trust. According to the released statement, the government will release COVID-19 vaccines to over 25,000 pediatric and primary health care sites.
These sites range from pharmacies, community health centers and hospitals. Senior Scholar Dr. Amesh Adalja praises the plan’s intention to include licensed pediatricians in administering the vaccine to children.
According to Dr. Adalja, including pediatricians in the COVID-19 vaccination plan increases credibility and trust between the parents and government. As a result, this vaccination plan could also decrease vaccine hesitancy in the public.
The US Food and Drug Administration is deliberating on the efficacy of the Pfizer pediatric vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine involves a two-dose 10-microgram shot, which is significantly lower than the adult COVID-19 shot.
According to US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, the COVID-19 vaccination plan for children increases their protection while increasing the possibility of having their important activities back.
The Food and Drug Administration will conduct a meeting to officially approve the vaccine for children by October 26, 2021. The FDA also included the input of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in arriving at the final decision.
