CDC recommends COVID-19 shots for children under 5

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the decision parents have been eagerly awaiting. U.S. health officials recommended the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. An advisory panel voted unanimously that vaccines should be made available to children as young as six months. This age group represents the last group to get the shots.

Two brands — Pfizer and Moderna — got the green light Friday from the FDA. The vaccines use the same technology but are offered at different doses and number of shots for the youngest kids. 

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC’s director, said in a statement, “We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can.”

The CDC’s advisory panel said the shots offer young children protection from hospitalizations, deaths, and possible long-term complications that are still not clearly understood. Anticipating approval, the government has been gearing up for the start of the shots with millions of doses ordered for distribution to doctors, hospitals, and community health clinics around the country.

Around 18 million kids will be eligible, but it is unknown at this time how many will ultimately get vaccinated. Since vaccinations opened up to them last November, less than a third of kids ages 5 to 11 have been vaccinated.