US Approves COVID-19 Vaccination for Ages 6 Months to Under 5 Years

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved COVID-19 vaccination for infants and toddlers aged 6 months to under 5 years.

Local media, including the Associated Press (AP), reported on the 18th (local time) that the CDC made this decision following the recommendation of its advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

This decision allows 18 million infants and toddlers in the U.S. to receive the vaccine. Vaccinations are expected to begin next week.

On the same day, ACIP unanimously recommended vaccination for infants and toddlers aged 6 months to under 5 years.

Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for infants and toddlers aged 6 months to under 5 years the day before.

Pfizer’s vaccine for children under 5 uses one-tenth of the adult dose and requires three doses. The first two doses are administered three weeks apart, and the third dose is given at least two months after the second dose.

Moderna’s vaccine for infants and toddlers is one-quarter of the adult dose and is administered in two doses four weeks apart.

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