The next two weeks will be consequential in the review process for a COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5-11, including two important federal meetings:
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is scheduled to meet on Nov. 2 and 3 to consider a recommendation for its use in this age group. Formal recommendations from the CDC and the AAP are likely to follow immediately.
The AAP will continue to update members about these meetings and other developments in the vaccine rollout.
Save the date!
- The AAP is hosting a webinar with the American Academy of Family Physicians on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 8:00 p.m. ET featuring White House officials including Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, FAAP, who will give updates about the vaccine rollout and answer member questions. More information and how to register will be forthcoming.
- The AAP will host a special COVID-19 Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. ET with leaders of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. Register here.
- Also on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 7-8:45 p.m. ET, the Black Coalition Against COVID is sponsoring a virtual Town Hall designed for parents to ask their questions and discuss the issues concerning children and COVID vaccination. Dr. Beers will join high level government officials and other experts at this event. Registration information is coming soon.
- The AAP encourages members to take steps now to be able to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to this age group in your practices. Access the following resources for more information on implementing a COVID-19 vaccination strategy.
- Updated “Becoming a COVID-19 Vaccinator” video and slides
- COVID-19 Vaccine: What Pediatricians Can Do Now
- COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation in Pediatric Practices
- COVID-19 Vaccine Administration: Getting Paid
- Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Through Pediatric Practices
- About the COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions
- Children and COVID-19 Vaccination Trends
- Free PediaLink course: Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations
AAP offers parent-friendly information that you can share with families:
- The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs
- Animated video: COVID-19 and kids: How mRNA vaccines work
- Animated video: How mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were developed
- COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Campaign Toolkit
Share your story:
In anticipation of the authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11, the Academy’s partners at Made to Save are collecting stories from parents and providers about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their families and what child authorization will mean for them. If you would like to add a story, visit the Child Authorization Soapboxx Campaign and Story Collection Form to add your story.
