Recent reports indicate that some parents are resorting to dishonesty to secure COVID-19 vaccinations for their children who are under the eligible age. Currently, there is no FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 12. However, with schools reopening and a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations among minors, certain parents are reportedly sneaking their under-12 children into vaccination sites and misrepresenting their ages to receive the vaccine. In response to this troubling trend, the FDA has issued a statement firmly advising against such actions.
While it is understandable that parents want to protect their children by getting them vaccinated, the FDA emphasizes that the dosage for younger children may differ from the adult doses that are currently available. On September 10, 2021, Janet Woodcock, the Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs, along with Peter Marks, the Director at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, urged parents to refrain from attempting to vaccinate their children until an appropriate vaccine for their age group is officially approved.
“Parents must remember that the vaccine doses being studied for younger children are not necessarily the same as those authorized for individuals aged 12 and older,” stated Dr. Woodcock and Dr. Marks. Variations in dosage strength are a significant factor in the ongoing clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines designed for children, as researchers are still determining the optimal dosage.
So, when can we expect a vaccine for kids under 12? Dr. Woodcock and Dr. Marks have called for patience from the public as vaccine manufacturers continue their work. They expressed hope that pediatric COVID-19 vaccines would be available in the coming months. In contrast, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who is now on Pfizer’s board, mentioned that a vaccine for children under 12 could potentially be ready by Halloween, a notably ambitious projection.
While the FDA recognizes the challenges and frustrations faced by parents, they urge everyone to remain patient during this critical period.
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