US FDA Approves COVID-19 Vaccine for Infants and Young Children Aged 6 Months to Under 5 Years

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 vaccinations for infants and toddlers aged 6 months to under 5 years on the 17th (local time).

According to CNN and others, the FDA stated in a press release that "the vaccine for young children is expected to protect them from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death," and authorized the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

For the Moderna vaccine, the approved age range is from 6 months to 17 years, while for the Pfizer vaccine, it is from 6 months to under 5 years.

However, actual vaccination requires final approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, expressed at a Senate hearing the day before that she intends to authorize vaccinations as soon as possible.

The White House expects that vaccinations for children under 5 years old could begin as early as next week.

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