Kids Under 5 May Soon Be Able To Receive COVID Vaccinations In NH

CONCORD, NH — Children younger than 5 in New Hampshire could start getting their coronavirus vaccinations as soon as the end of February if the Food and Drug Administration approves an emergency authorization request expected to be filed Tuesday by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech.

If that happens, the two-shot vaccine regimen for children under 5 will be the first vaccine available to very young children, The Washington Post reported. Older children ages 5-12 can already be vaccinated.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was first authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for use in children ages 5-12 on November 2, 2021, and though New Hampshire officials say the vaccine is safe and highly effective for this age group, vaccine uptake has been slow.

Children get a smaller dose of the vaccine, about one-third of what's given to adolescents and adults, the CDC said.

Here are four things to know:

1. Third Dose Will Likely Be Needed

The early data on vaccines for younger children, who receive dosages that contain about one-tenth the amount of vaccine as adult shots, showed they were safe for that age group and produced an immune response. But when Pfizer said it was less effective at preventing COVID-19 in kids ages 2-5, regulators urged the company to add a third shot to the vaccine regimen, believing it would boost immunity as it does in adults, The Associated Press reported.

2. The FDA Reversed Course

Though it had encouraged Pfizer to develop a booster shot similar to the one authorized for other age groups, the FDA asked the company to submit its application for a two-dose regimen for approval this month.

3. Two-Step Process Speeds Up The Process

Pfizer could come back later and ask the FDA for another emergency authorization for the third dose if it’s supported by data. Approving the two-dose regimen now gets the shots into young children’s arms about a month sooner than previously estimated, assuming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention greenlights the shots.

4. Vaccinating Young Kids Gets Parents Back To Work

The Biden administration believes vaccinating children is critical to keeping schools and daycare centers open, therefore freeing up their parents to return to the workforce.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.