In a “monumental step forward” in the fight against Covid-19, vaccinations opened in the US for children under the age of 5 after health agencies issued approvals for the vaccines last week.
The age group from six months to 5 is the last to become eligible for vaccination in the US, marking a new milestone more than two years after the disease first emerged.
“The first time in our fight against this pandemic, nearly every American can now have access to life saving vaccines,” President Joe Biden said in remarks from the White House.
The first Covid-19 vaccines began to be administered in the country about 18 months ago, though approval for child immunisations was snarled several times, frustrating many parents.
“Finally, some peace of mind,” Mr Biden said.
The White House previously announced it had ordered millions of vaccines that would “immediately” be shipped out following the Food and Drug Administration's approval. Of the 10 million doses secured, half would be from Pfizer and the other half from Moderna.
The FDA authorised the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the age group last week, with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending young children receive either of the two vaccines.
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People ride a New Jersey bus after the US government announced it would no longer enforce a mask mandate on public transport. Reuters -
People arrive at a New Jersey transit station after the nationwide public transport mask mandate is repealed. Reuters -
A healthcare administrator checks paperwork at a mobile Covid-19 testing centre outside Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Reuters -
A person carries a sign protesting Covid-19 vaccines in Washington. AFP -
A sign urges passengers to wear masks at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. Bloomberg -
Travellers wait for transport outside of the Los Angeles International Airport. AP -
President Joe Biden receives his second Covid-19 booster shot on March 30, 2022, in Washington. AP -
A nurse registers people for second booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccine in Waterford, Michigan. Reuters -
A woman gets a haircut as the indoor mask mandate is temporarily reinstated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reuters -
Travellers walk to their destinations at the Los Angeles International Airport. AP -
A nurse administers a Covid-19 booster vaccination at a clinic in San Rafael, California. AFP -
A medical worker administers Covid-19 tests in Brooklyn, New York. AFP -
A Covid-19 testing site stands on a Brooklyn street corner in New York City. AFP -
US President Joe Biden removes his face mask before delivering remarks at the White House in Washington. Reuters
Moderna's vaccine regimen requires two doses, while the Pfizer series requires three.
The CDC says there are almost 20 million children in the US who are eligible under this new authorisation.
“We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement.
“I encourage parents and caregivers with questions to talk to their doctor, nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the benefits of vaccinations and the importance of protecting their children by getting them vaccinated.”
However, it is unknown what the uptake will be like nationally, as polls suggest parents may be reluctant to vaccinate their young children.
At least one in five parents of children under 5 years old say they will vaccinate them right away, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found in May, while 38 per cent said they will “wait and see” and 27 per cent said they “definitely” will not vaccinate.
A recent CDC study estimated that at least 75 per cent of US children have already been infected with coronavirus, though the agency still recommends vaccination.
Covid memorials across the US — in pictures
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Italian sculptor Sergio Furnari poses for pictures in front of 'The Hero Monument' heart sculpture on October 25, 2021, in New York. AP -
The Washington Monument where US President Joe Biden hosts a memorial to honour those who died from Covid-19 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, January 19, 2021. Reuters -
A woman takes selfies with her daughter in front of 'The Hero Monument' in New York. AP -
Italian sculptor Sergio Furnari stands next to his car near 'The Hero Monument' sculpture in Manhattan, New York. AP -
Christopher Edwards holds up a memorial to those who died from Covid-19, including his grandmother, Brenda Meadows, in Washington, May 5, 2021. AFP -
A woman and child look at the 'Naming the Lost Memorials' at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Reuters -
Faces of victims of Covid-19 are projected on to the Brooklyn Bridge on March 14, 2021, in New York. Getty Images via AFP -
Artist Suzanne Firstenberg's temporary art installation, 'In America: Remember' in Washington, September 17, 2021. AP -
A cyclist rides past the 'In America: Remember' memorial. Reuters -
One of the flags that make up the 'In America: Remember' installation. AP -
Visitors mourn at the 'In America: Remember' memorial. AP -
The memorial with the Washington Monument in the background. AP -
An aerial view of the memorial. AP -
A flag with a message for a loved one. AP -
The installation consisted of more than 600,000 flags. AP -
A mourner visits the memorial. AP -
A visitor sits on a bench near the memorial. AP -
Two people hug as they look at the thousands of white flags. Reuters -
Part of artist Suzanne Firstenberg's temporary art installation. AP -
Hundreds of Covid survivors march across the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in New York. AP -
A woman holds an image of her husband as hundreds of Covid survivors gather at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn. AP -
A sign at a Covid survivors' march in New York. AP -
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive for a memorial for victims of Covid-19 in Washington. Getty Images / AFP -
The Washington Covid-19 Memorial. Photo: National Parks Service -
The Washington Covid-19 Memorial. Photo: National Parks Service
