IDSA Supports Authorization of COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children and Infants 

The Infectious Diseases Society of America supports the decision by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to authorize the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for young children and infants ages 5 years and younger.

Nearly 2.5 million very young children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations, hundreds of deaths and potential exposure to the unknown effects of long COVID. Approving vaccinations for the youngest people in the country will provide critical protection against serious disease, hospitalization and death, and improve overall immunity to the virus in the community. 

With this authorization, parents of very young children can now have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their kids can access the best line of defense against this virus, which is still a major public health concern. This is a significant public health milestone. 

It is now up to the federal government and state and local officials to partner with trusted community-based organizations to ensure vaccines are readily available to all. Vaccination is the best protection against serious illness and death from COVID-19. Parents of children younger than 5 should make a plan to get their kids vaccinated as soon as possible.

Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, FIDSA – President, Infectious Diseases Society of America

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a community of over 12,000 physicians, scientists, and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.