US to Begin Vaccinations for Children Under 5 Starting on the 21st

Dosage Administered: One-Tenth for Adults

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States plans to begin administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children under the age of 5 starting on the 21st.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on the 9th (local time), "We have secured enough vaccines for children under 5," and added, "We will supply 10 million doses nationwide by the end of this month."

There are a total of 18 million children aged 6 months to 5 years in the U.S. The CDC announced, "We will distribute 10 million doses in the first supply, followed by second and third supplies on the 23rd and 25th, respectively."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5. Once the FDA grants approval, vaccination for this age group will begin for the first time in the U.S.

The FDA's external advisory committee is scheduled to discuss the approval at a meeting on the 15th. If final approval is granted, vaccinations will start on the 21st, less than a week later.

Children under 5 will receive only 3 μg (micrograms) of the Pfizer vaccine, which is one-tenth the dose given to those aged 12 and older. Children aged 6 to 11 will receive 10 μg.

Major foreign media outlets reported that "health authorities are expected to prioritize vaccinations in areas where children are at higher risk of severe illness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.