28 million U.S. children between five and 11 years-old have just become eligible for the Pfizer vaccine today after the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave the green-light to the jab. The decision was rubber-stamped by the CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who spoke of the vital importance of vaccinating young children. Sky News has the story.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had already approved the shots for the age group, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines – which it has now done.
CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky made the announcement just hours after an advisory panel unanimously decided Pfizer’s vaccine should be opened to the 28 million youngsters in that age category.
“As a mum, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their paediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated,” she said in a statement.
U.S. President Joe Biden marked the decision, describing it as a “turning point”.
He said: “It will allow parents to end months of anxious worrying about their kids, and reduce the extent to which children spread the virus to others.
“It is a major step forward for our nation in our fight to defeat the virus.”
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: Yesterday, we highlighted a concerning article published by the BMJ where a whistleblower calls into question the integrity, legitimacy, and safety of Pfizer’s vaccine trials in Texas, which can be found here.
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