University Of Iowa Hospital & Clinics recently issued the following announcement.
On Tuesday, Oct. 26, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be given to children ages 5 to 11. This vaccine has been previously authorized for children ages 12 and older. Of note, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (Comirnaty) is an FDA fully approved vaccine for those over the age of 16.
What needs to happen next
This decision is the first step in the authorization process that will make this COVID-19 vaccine available to young children. University of Iowa Health Care will be prepared to provide vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 once the authorization process is complete.
In the next step, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to meet within the next week to review and provide recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11.
The ACIP will make its recommendations and provide them to the director of the CDC. The director must authorize the vaccine based on ACIP’s recommendations before vaccinations can begin for this age group. The Iowa Department of Public Health must also approve the vaccine before administration of doses can begin within Iowa.
You’ll see additional details about the recommendations that ACIP has shared in Noon News and on The Loop, including talking points for providers to use to speak with parents and families, details about how to schedule a vaccination for your child, and more.
Original source can be found here.
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