Children as young as six months old can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The New York Timesreports that the CDC recommends parents get their children immunized, with the vaccines available to this age group on Tuesday. Kids from six months through five years old can get Moderna, and kids from six months through four years old can receive Pfizer. Children five years and older have had the option to be vaccinated by Pfizer since November.
“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against Covid-19,” said CDC director Rochelle P. Walensky. “We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can.”
She also suggested that kids who have already had the virus should still get immunized. If getting the Moderna shot, children will need two doses, and if getting Pfizer, they will need three.
Earlier this month, data revealed that 82.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were disposed of in the U.S. from December 2020 to mid-May 2022. CVS reportedly discarded 11.8 million, Walmart 10 million, and Walgreens 8.3 million. Health authorities said the widespread tossing of doses is due to a lack of success in the campaign to get everyone vaccinated to fight the global pandemic.
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