CDC authorizes Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11
On Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave final approval for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds.
This announcement came after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended use of the Pfizer vaccine in this younger population and the FDA amendment of the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 5-11.
“Children are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which we know from clinical trials is safe and highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 in children,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, CDPHE.
She continued, “While children are less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than adults, their cases account for a large proportion of cases right now, and they have the ability to spread the disease to their family members who may be at higher risk. Getting our children vaccinated now is an important thing we can all do before gathering with our families over the holidays.”
Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help avoid the worst outcomes — severe illness, hospitalization and death — among those who do become infected.
Getting vaccinated means kids can look forward to holiday activities, participate in extracurricular activities, have fewer interruptions to in-person learning, and see family and friends without worrying about getting COVID-19 or having to quarantine and miss out.
CDPHE recommends parents and guardians make a plan to get their children vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds will be available at many of the same places already administering other COVID-19 vaccines — doctors’ offices, pharmacies, community vaccination events, local public health clinics, school-based health centers and more.
Planning is also underway with partners to offer several large vaccine clinics during evening hours and weekends. Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act entitles people to paid time off from work to take their child to a vaccine appointment or care for them if they experience vaccine side effects.
Additional information, including a list of providers accepting advance appointments, can be found at https://covid19.colorado.gov/kids-vaccines.
Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.