CDC Backs Pfizer Vaccine for Those Aged 5-11

The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID19 vaccine “the go” for 5-11 years old. The announcement comes hours after a US CDC advisor stated that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. Much of the argument came from the fact that cases of vaccine-related heart inflammation and other side effects are extremely rare and uncommon. 

The CDC provided data suggesting that for every 1 million vaccinations, 80 to 226 hospitalizations, of children aged 5 to 11, can be prevented. Once approved, approximately 28 million children are eligible for vaccination. The jury spoke enthusiastically prior to voting in support of vaccinations for this age group. 

Countries such as China, Cuba and the United Arab Emirates, have released the COVID-19 vaccine for children of the same age group. The US quickly followed, with the White House announcing that there is a sufficient supply of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for all 28 million children aged 5-11. It’s more crucial now than ever that the United States release vaccines for younger age groups, as only 58% of the population is vaccinated.