Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky signed off on allowing Moderna and Pfizer COVID shots for children as young as six months old on Saturday.
Why it matters: The shots could be in little arms as early as next week, as most states have already pre-ordered COVID vaccines for children under five in anticipation of federal authorization.
- Earlier Saturday, a key CDC advisory committee unanimously voted to support a recommendation for the shots for children.
What they're saying: "Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against Covid-19. We know millions of parents and care givers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said according to the Wall Street Journal.
- In a statement, President Biden praised the "monumental step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus, with virtually every American now eligible for the protections that COVID-19 vaccines provide."
- "For parents all over the country, this is a day of relief and celebration. As the first country to protect our youngest children with COVID-19 vaccines," Biden's statement said.
- The statement also confirmed parents can schedule appointments for their children to be vaccinated beginning next week. "These vaccines are safe, highly effective, and will give parents the peace of mind of knowing their child is protected from the worst outcomes of COVID-19," Biden's statement said.
Zoom in: The shots received emergency use authorization by the FDA on Friday after being considered by an FDA advisory committee earlier in the week. The FDA says...