Federal officials are expected to decide on that Wednesday.
Annapolis, Md. (KM) – COVID-19 vaccines could soon be available for infants and toddlers in Maryland. On Wednesday, advisory committees for the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are scheduled to meet and discuss whether to allow Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be administered to kids from six months to five year.
Dr. Jinlene Chan, the Deputy Public Health Secretary for the Maryland Department of Health, says the state has already purchased 65,400 doses of the vaccines for small children, and is expecting more to come. . “If approved, on Monday, June 20th, COVID-19 vaccines for infants and toddlers will be available in Maryland,” she said.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are available for children five to 11. Dr. Chan says about 50% of children in Maryland in this age group have received at least one dose, and 43% have received two doses.
If the FDA and CDC advisory committees give their approval for the vaccines for young children, Dr. Chan says kids between six-months and four years would get two doses of Pfizer vaccine, and children under six years of age would get three doses of the Moderna vaccine.
“There are approximately 358,000 children in this age in this state,” she said. “And these COVID-19 vaccines, just like other COVID-19 vaccines that we have for other age groups, will help protect our youngest Marylanders from severe disease, hospitalization and death.”
Dr. Chan says these vaccines will be available, once approval is given, through the state’s vast network of pediatricians and family practitioners, as well as local health departments.
Anyone who wants more information on vaccines can call 1-855-MD-GoVax.
By Kevin McManus