Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 could be available as early March

On Tuesday, Pfizer officially submitted its request to the FDA for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old.

Sources familiar with the discussions told the Associated Press on Monday that U.S regulators urged Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen of its COVID vaccine for younger kids. This comes as Pfizer is still waiting on data on a three-dose regimen.

The nation’s 19 million children under 5 are the only group not yet eligible for a vaccination against the coronavirus.

If the emergency authorization for the vaccine is granted, shots for younger kids could become available as soon as early March. The vaccine would be one-tenth the strength of an adult shot.

Dr. Shunling Tsang is Riverside County's deputy public health officer. She said if the vaccine is approved for younger kids, the rollout would be similar to what has been done for those aged 5 to 11.

"We're hoping to see that with this vaccine being rolled out, this will also help our kids not so much not get the infection, but not have to suffer the severe complications of COVID," said Tsang. "We actually are seeing the highest rate of kids being infected with COVID-19 is three times higher during this omicron surge than it was during delta."

Pfizer data have shown that the low doses of the vaccine gave protection to kids up to 2 years old but failed to do so in kids ages 2 to 5. Pfizer announced back in December it would add a third dose to its trials.

The emergency use authorization would let younger children start their 2 doses and would let kids ages 2-5 get the third shot when Pfizer data shows it's effective.

The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 5 through 11 years old in October 2021. However, the CDC reports vaccination trends in kids 5-11 are still much lower than the rest of the population.

The rate for fully vaccinated kids 5 to 11 in Riverside County stands at 14%. That's less than the national rate of 21%.

"What we're looking to do is try to help parents have an outlet to ask questions when these new vaccines are released," said Tsang. "So please reach out to your family doctor, your pediatrician, whoever you see for primary care, to get more information about the vaccine."

The county wants to provide Q and A sessions and reach out through community and faith-based organizations to help address concerns. Parents of younger kids will soon be faced with the decision to vaccinate or not. 

"So I am definitely not interested in getting him the covid vaccine," said parent Rory Coddington. "I am extremely concerned for it especially at this age, there's just not been enough long-term research."

Another valley parent says she would vaccinate her 1-year-old if the vaccine is approved.

"As scared as I am about COVID-19 and my son getting it, I'm also scared that I didn't do what I was supposed to and I didn't get him vaccinated and that something happens to him," said parent Yalina.

If the vaccine for younger kids is approved by the FDA, it would then need to be approved by the CDC followed by the state of California.