IDSA and PIDS Support Authorization of Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine
The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society support FDA and CDC decisions to authorize the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 years.
To date, 6 million children have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The more than 28 million children who will be eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with this authorization comprise a larger portion of the population than the already eligible 12-17-year-old cohort. Vaccination will provide these children with critical protection against serious disease and hospitalization and help bolster overall immunity in the community.
Vaccinating school-aged children has other benefits — it will limit disruption in school attendance, allowing children to safely participate in learning and other activities that are crucial for mental health and development.
IDSA and PIDS are encouraged that the federal government has developed a vaccine implementation plan that includes pre-purchasing vaccine doses for children and outlining a multi-pronged distribution strategy. The federal government and state and local partners should collaborate with trusted community-based organizations to ensure equitable vaccine access and uptake.
This is a good time for parents to ensure that children are also up to date on all of the recommended vaccines, including seasonal influenza. Vaccinate, don’t procrastinate.
Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, FIDSA – President, Infectious Diseases Society of America
Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS – President, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a community of over 12,000 physicians, scientists, and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.
About PIDS
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS) is the world’s largest organization of professionals dedicated to the treatment, control, and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children. Membership is comprised of physicians, doctoral-level scientists, and others who have trained or are in training in infectious diseases or its related disciplines, and who are identified with the discipline of pediatric infectious diseases or related disciplines through clinical practice, research, teaching, and/or administration activities. For more information, visit www.pids.org.