CDC expands use of up to date COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers as younger as 6 months

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) on Friday signed off on the usage of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months by way of 5 years.

The transfer, following the Meals and Drug Administration’s greenlight on Thursday, will enable the up to date vaccines to be administered to the youngest inhabitants beginning instantly.

Whereas the vaccines are approved in adults as a booster solely, it’s a bit extra difficult for younger youngsters. 

Kids ages 6 months by way of 5 years who beforehand accomplished a two-dose Moderna major sequence are eligible to obtain a Moderna bivalent booster 2 months after their last major sequence dose. 

Kids ages 6 months by way of 4 years who’re at present finishing a three-dose Pfizer major sequence will obtain a Pfizer bivalent vaccine as their third major dose.

The vaccine authorization comes amid an increase in COVID-19 infections in addition to one of many earliest surges of influenza.

The youngest youngsters have solely been eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine since June, making them the final group to turn into eligible for vaccination.

However the overwhelming majority of youngsters on this age group haven’t obtained any doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is worrying administration well being officers.  

The CDC stated it’s working to extend dad or mum and supplier confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and enhance uptake among the many 95 % of youngsters who’re both not vaccinated or who haven’t accomplished the first sequence.

“As we spend extra time indoors in the course of the vacation season and winter months, I encourage dad and mom of eligible youngsters to get one among these free up to date COVID-19 vaccines to assist maintain their households secure,” Well being and Human Providers Secretary Xavier Becerra stated in an announcement.

“COVID-19 vaccines stay our greatest protection towards probably the most devastating well being penalties of the virus, and we encourage all these eligible to remain updated with their vaccinations, or get vaccinated in the event that they haven’t but carried out so,” Becerra stated.