When Will the COVID Vaccine Be Available for Kids Under 12?

Pfizer-BioNTech has requested emergency use authorization for its COVID vaccine for kids ages 5-11, according to the New York Times. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to announce a ruling on the authorization sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. This may be welcome news for many parents who are anxious to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, ensuring their kids are as safe as possible in school, during after-school programs, and more.

When will the COVID vaccine be available for kids under 12?

While none of the vaccines have been approved by the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children younger than 12, Pfizer-BioNTech asked the FDA to authorize emergency use of its vaccine for children ages 5-11 on Oct. 7. If it’s approved for emergency use, it could help protect more than 28 million people in the U.S., according to the New York Times. 

The FDA has said it will follow the science when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines for kids. One the emergency use authorization request is received by the FDA, it will “carefully, thoroughly and independently examine the data to evaluate benefits and risks and be prepared to complete its review as quickly as possible, likely in a matter of weeks rather than months. However, the agency’s ability to review these submissions rapidly will depend in part on the quality and timeliness of the submissions by manufacturers.”

The Times goes on to report that the FDA is expected to announce a ruling on the vaccine for kids between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

When can my teen get vaccinated?

The CDC now recommends everyone ages 12 and older get the COVID vaccine. Vaccinating children would help the country as a whole reach herd immunity, in addition to keeping those who are unable to get vaccinated safe and restoring stability to the education system.