The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use in Americans as young as 6 months, a major step in launching a nationwide pediatric rollout as soon as Tuesday.
Regulators approved shots from Pfizer-BioNTech for persons aged 6 months through 4 years. Previously, the company’s vaccine was available to those 5 and older.
The FDA authorized Moderna’s vaccine for persons aged 6 months through 17 years, expanding the use of the drugmaker’s vaccine beyond adults.
The decision caps a lengthy wait for parents who were eager to vaccinate their youngest children. They say providing some level of protection against severe disease will help them pivot to normal activities.