U.S. CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Infants and Toddlers

The U.S. C.D.C. Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., announced her endorsement of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' recommendation that all children six months through 5 years of age should receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

This confirmation expands COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to nearly 20 million additional children in the U.S.A.

All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated.

Dr. Walensky stated on June 18, 2022, "Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation's fight against COVID-19."

"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 vaccinated."    

Parents and caregivers can play an active role in monitoring the safety of these vaccines by signing their children up for v-safe – personalized and confidential health check-ins via text messages and web surveys where they can easily share with C.D.C. how a child feels after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, says the C.D.C.

The distribution of pediatric vaccinations for these younger children has started across the country.

This week, it will be available at thousands of pediatric practices, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, local health departments, clinics, and other locations.

Children in this younger age group can be vaccinated with whichever mRNA vaccine is available (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech).

Visit vaccines.gov to see where vaccines for children are available.

The C.D.C. reported on June 17, 2022, that about 66.8% of the U.S. population had been 'fully vaccinated' with an Approve/Authorized COVID-19 vaccine.

And about 47.2% of eligible people have been 'boosted' and are now 'up to date' vaccinated.

Note: This announcement was manually curated for mobile readership.