By June 21, 1st Covid vaccination doses for kids under the age of 5 may be available

Key Takeaways:

• If federal authorities approve shots for that age range, which is expected, children under the age of five may be able to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine doses as early as June 21.
• Thanks to the timeline, parents would be able to get their children adequately vaccinated in time for the start of the following school year.

According to the Biden administration, children under the age of five may be able to receive their first COVID-19 immunization doses as early as June 21 if federal regulators approve shots for that age range, which is likely.

The White House COVID-19 coordinator, Ashish Jha, described the administration's plans for the final eligible age group to receive vaccinations. He said an outside panel of consultants from the Food & Drug Administration would meet on June 14-15 to assess the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for younger children. 

Following FDA approval, shipments to doctors' offices and pediatric care facilities would begin immediately, with the first doses perhaps being administered the following week.

According to Jha, states can begin taking orders for pediatric immunizations on Friday, who added that the administration has a 10-million-dose first supply. He predicted that the vaccines would take a few days to arrive across the country and that immunization appointment would be widespread.

"We believe that every parent who wants their child vaccinated will be able to secure an appointment within weeks," Jha said.

Thanks to the timeline, parents would be able to get their children properly vaccinated in time for the start of the following school year.

To make it much easier for parents to have their children vaccinated, the Biden administration urges states to prioritize high-volume sites such as children's hospitals and make consultations available outside of usual business hours.

According to the White House, eliminating the last substantial cohort not yet eligible for immunizations will go a long way toward fixing confidence among some Americans who have been hesitant to resume many of their pre-pandemic activities, thereby assisting the country's recovery.

Jha recognized the "frustration" of parents of small children who have been waiting for immunizations for their children for more than a year.

"At the back of the day, we all want to go quickly," he said, "but we have to do it right first."