Vaccination schedule for children: When can kids under 12 get the COVID vaccine? – NJ.com

The White House said Wednesday morning children ages 5-11 will soon be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine at their pediatrician’s office, local pharmacy and potentially even their school, as it detailed plans for the expected authorization of the Pfizer shot for younger children.

After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meets in late October and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) meets in early November, kids ages 5-11 can expect to receive the Pfizer COVID vaccine within hours of the CDC’s decision, if the agencies authorize the use of the vaccines in younger children.

Doses will be shipped to health care providers across the country within hours of authorization, the Associated Press reported, and smaller needles will be used to inject younger kids with the vaccine.

So, it’s likely kids ages 5-11 will be able to receive a COVID vaccine in early November.

Kids ages 5-11 will be able to receive the COVID vaccine from more than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers, as well as pharmacies that have already been administering the COVID vaccines to adults and older children, according to the The White House.

The White House added that there will also be hundreds of community and school-based clinics supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will be assisting in putting shots in arms.

Yes. While the dose for children will be 10 micrograms instead of 30 micrograms like it is for adults, children will still receive the vaccine in a two-shot regimen.

So far, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine only has been fully approved for people as young as 16. It is available for emergency use authorization for children as young as 12.

That could change as of Oct. 26, when FDA regulators are scheduled to meet to decide whether the Pfizer pediatric COVID vaccine is safe to administer to children ages 5-11.

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been approved under emergency use authorization for people ages 18 and older.

Related stories about COVID-19:

How to get a COVID booster shot at CVS or Walgreens

COVID breakthrough cases: What to know about symptoms, length, quarantine, long-term effects

The side effects to look out for if you get a COVID booster shot

What are the most common side effects from the Pfizer COVID booster shot?

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.