COVID vaccines may be available for children ages 5 to 11 “within the first week or two of November,” according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The nation’s leading infectious disease expert, 80, said on Sunday’s episode ofThis Week With George Stephanopoulosthat “it’s entirely possible, if not very likely” that vaccines will be made accessible for the age group within the next two or three weeks.
Pfizer has reported that its COVID-19 vaccine prevents any symptoms of the virus90.7% of the timein patients ages 5 to 11. The White House has already committed tomaking the vaccine available, once approved, at more than 25,000 pediatrician offices and primary care facilities and more than 100 children’s hospitals as well as pharmacies and schools.
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The FDA and its advisory committee will meet on Oct. 26 before handing over their regulatory decision to the CDC, Fauci said, which will likely be around Nov. 2 or 3.
“So, if all goes well, and we get the regulatory approval and the recommendation from the CDC, it’s entirely possible, if not very likely, that vaccines will be available for children from 5 to 11 within the first week or two of November,” he added.
Kids getting the COVID-19 vaccine.Getty
“While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock in a statement following the Pfizer vaccine’s approval.
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In September, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)passed a mandaterequiring students aged 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in order to attend in-person classes. Those on the cusp will be required to get their first dose within 30 days after their 12th birthday.
As of Oct. 23, theCenters for Disease Control and Preventionreports that 57.4% of the United States' population (190.4 million people) is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 66.3% (220.2 million people) have received at least one dose.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
