-Avier Wanjou Brass-

Cousins!

The Covid-19 vaccine could happen in a matter of weeks for children under five years old if it’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration!

Pfizer and partner BioNTech took a big step recently in submitting their clinical trial data to the Food and Drug Administration, possibly resulting in Covid-19 shots being available for children. There could be several regulatory steps to come, but it could happen very quickly. For example, it took over four weeks for 5- to 11-year-olds, according to NPR.

While one-third of parents say they are eager to vaccinate their children right away, many parents are on the fence concerning the vaccine. According to the poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than two-thirds of parents say “they’ll wait and see about vaccinations or are “definitely” not planning to vaccinate their kids.” 

Pfizer is currently the furthest from authorization, while Moderna plans to submit data to the FDA in March for 2-to-5-years old. And Johnson and Johnson are expected to conduct vaccine trials for young children in the future. 

Here are the steps being taken for approval for the vaccine. 

1. Clinical trial

The drug companies compile safety and efficacy data from their clinical trial and ask the FDA to extend the emergency use authorization for the vaccine to this age group.   

–Application filed (Feb. 1)

1. FDA advisory panel vote

The panel votes on whether the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks, based on data from the clinical trial and presentations from federal scientists.

-Meeting on Feb. 15. 

1. FDA authorization

The agency weighs the advisory panel vote and decides whether to extend emergency use authorization to this age group. 

-After the FDA advisory panel vote

1. CDC advisory panel vote

The panel votes on whether the newly FDA-authorized vaccine should be recommended for all children in this age group or only certain subgroups of children.

-After the FDA authorization

1. CDC recommendation

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky decides whether to endorse the advisory panel’s decision.

-After the CDC advisory panel vote

1. Available to the public

Pediatric shots start going out to pediatricians’ offices and pharmacies.

-After the CDC recommendation

Cousins, are you guys eager to get the vaccine for your children? Or will you guys pass up on it?

( 📸: (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty)