Biden celebrates ‘huge relief’ for parents as FDA authorises Covid vaccine for young kids
‘Today is a day of huge relief for parents and families across America,’ Biden says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President Joe Biden celebrated the US Food and Drug Administration’s authorisation of Covid-19 vaccines for children younger than five as a huge relief for parents.
The FDA announced on Friday that vaccines for young children were now officially authorised.
“Many parents, caregivers and clinicians have been waiting for a vaccine for younger children and this action will help protect those down to 6 months of age. As we have seen with older age groups, we expect that the vaccines for younger children will provide protection from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement. “Those trusted with the care of children can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of these COVID-19 vaccines and can be assured that the agency was thorough in its evaluation of the data.”
Mr Biden hailed the decision as a victory for parents and families, who have long waited for vaccines for young children.
“Today is a day of huge relief for parents and families across America”, he said. “We are the first country to protect our youngest children with COVID-19 vaccines, offering safe and highly effective mRNA doses to children as young as six months old.”
The president said that his administration had secured vaccine doses and would begin shipping them for young children.
“As doses are delivered, parents will be able to start scheduling vaccinations for their youngest kids as early as next week, with appointments ramping up over the coming days and weeks”, he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments