First COVID-19 Shots Approved for Infants and Preschoolers

The Food and Drug Administration announced today that U.S. children under the age of 5 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must now discuss administering the shots for the nation's youngest children today and then a vote will be taken Saturday.  Officials say vaccinations could begin as early as Monday or Tuesday next week.

Pfizer's vaccine for children under the age of 5 is one-tenth of the adult dose.  Three shots are needed:  the first two given three weeks apart and the last at least two months later.

Moderna's is two shots, each a quarter of its adult dose, given about four weeks apart for children under 6.

Vaccines are for children as young as 6 months.  Moderna officials say they plan to study shots for infants as young as three months old next.  Pfizer hasn't announced plans for its shots for infants under six months yet.