The American Medicines Agency (FDA) urgently authorized, on Friday June 17, the vaccines against Covid-19 from Pfizer and Moderna for toddlers, paving the way for the first injections, now almost certain, from the start. next week in the United States.
The Moderna vaccine, in two doses, is authorized on an emergency basis for children between six months and 5 years old. That of Pfizer, this time in three doses, is it for children aged six months to 4 years. This is the last age group that has not yet received this protection in the United States, as in many countries.
The FDA has also approved Moderna’s vaccine for children ages 6 to 17. The Pfizer vaccine was already authorized from the age of 5 in the country.
A final green light expected
“Many parents, caregivers and clinicians have been waiting for a vaccine for the youngest children, and this action will help protect them from 6 months of age”welcomed in a press release Robert Califf, the boss of the FDA, adding:
“As we have seen in older age groups, these vaccines for younger children are going to provide protection against the most severe cases of Covid-19, such as hospitalizations and deaths. »
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must now also recommend these vaccines for injections to begin. This final green light will be granted after a meeting of expert members of an advisory committee, which was held over two days, this Friday and Saturday.
The U.S. government has already announced that, upon the FDA’s decision, some 10 million doses could immediately begin to be sent in advance to the four corners of the country, before millions more in the following weeks. . The equipment needed for injections, such as small needles, will also be provided.