The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Saturday recommended the Moderna vaccine for children aged 6 months through 5 years old and the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 6 months through 4 years old, and the CDC endorsed the recommendation. The Food and Drug Administration last week authorized the vaccines for these age groups, and the Administration expects them to be available soon at pediatric practices, children’s hospitals, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, clinics and other locations. In addition, the government’s vaccines locator website offers information on vaccine availability and appointments, which are expected to increase in coming days.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against COVID-19,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D. “We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can. I encourage parents and caregivers with questions to talk to their doctor, nurse, or local pharmacist to learn more about the benefits of vaccinations and the importance of protecting their children by getting them vaccinated.” 

CDC will host a call for clinicians tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET to discuss its guidance on the primary vaccine series for this age group. For additional CDC and AHA resources on COVID-19 vaccination for children, see the Spotlight section below. 

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate Appropriations Committee July 31 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,…
Headline
The Joint Commission July 29 announced an initiative to address “gaps” in how children’s hospitals are accredited and certified. The program will remove or…
Headline
The AHA July 24 announced it is collaborating with health care technology leader Epic to help hospitals adopt tools that support the early detection and…
Headline
A Health Affairs study on the decline of obstetric services in rural and urban hospitals nationwide from 2010-2022 found that seven states had at least 25% of…
Headline
 The Food and Drug Administration July 10 approved Moderna’s Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12 with at least one underlying condition that…
Headline
The latest video in the AHA’s series “Medicaid: Real Lives, Real Care” features Melissa Fannon-Wisner, DNP, nurse educator and nurse practitioner at Valley…