Jill Schwartz has been searching Chicago for COVID shots for her children, ages 1, 3, and 5. She consulted her pediatrician. Pediatric clinic. Walgreens. No luck.
The decision by public health agencies led by President Donald Trump and his Surgeon General Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has created new obstacles for many people seeking a COVID-19 vaccine. However, even if they are healthy, it has been difficult to secure vaccination, especially for children such as infants and toddlers under 2 years of age who are at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19.
Last August, the Food and Drug Administration limited its approval of the latest COVID shot, allowing it to be administered only to adults 65 and older and younger people with certain health conditions. A few weeks later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Advisory Panel issued its own guidance, saying anyone six months and older can get the vaccine in consultation with a health care provider.
Children under 12 require a different version of the COVID-19 vaccine. Many pediatricians and pharmacies do not carry pediatric doses. While some cite low demand, others cite uncertainty around federal guidelines and logistical issues, particularly: The FDA limited approval of the Pfizer vaccine to ages 5 and older, leaving the Moderna vaccine as the only option for younger children.
Representatives from Moderna and Pfizer said their companies have enough doses to meet demand. But some providers told parents they had not placed orders because of regulatory confusion.
Some were awaiting formal approval from interim CDC leaders of the vaccine panel’s recommendations, which were released Monday about two weeks after the panel voted. Others have been stockpiling Pfizer’s pediatric drugs for the past few years and are scrambling to determine the feasibility of a new deal with Moderna.
Two parents interviewed by The New York Times said their pediatricians cited the need to switch to Moderna as one of the reasons there is no COVID vaccine for children under 5. Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ committee on infectious diseases, said he’s heard the same thing from providers.
The AAP recommends COVID vaccination for children under 2 years of age, regardless of overall health. Vaccination is also recommended for children at high risk, children in close contact with people at high risk, and children who have not previously received a coronavirus vaccine. The group says the shots should be available to all children whose parents want them.
