FDA Could Soon Approve COVID-19 Vaccine For VA, DC Children Under 5

VIRGINIA/DC — Children younger than 5 in Virginia and the District of Columbia 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.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released a COVID Action Plan last month that calls for using state resources to encourage Virginians to get the vaccine.

In December, the D.C. City Council voted to pass a bill that mandates the COVID-19 vaccine for students. The bill requires students eligible for a coronavirus vaccine that is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to get inoculated by March 1. No such mandate exists in Virginia.

Here are four things to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5:

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 day care centers open, therefore freeing up their parents to return to the workforce.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations in Virginia, residents can visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA.

In the District of Columbia, parents can visit the DC Health website to find vaccination sites for children 5 and older. For D.C. residents of all ages, the city government provides a list of COVID centers where people can get vaccinated and tested.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.