Dr. Rochelle Walensky, U.S. Center of Disease Control Director, endorsed the recommendation from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) to vaccinate children ages 5-11 years old against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. This vaccine was proven to be more than 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 in clinical trials with mild side effects similar to what has been observed in adults.
The new pediatric formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine will require two 10 microgram doses, which is about a third of the dose used for adolescents and adults. To differentiate this new vaccine from existing Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the pediatric formulation will be available in vials with orange caps (versus purple caps for the adolescent and adult formulation).
Pfizer-BioNTech has also modified the packaging and storage recommendations for the pediatric formulation. According to the CDC, pediatric doses will come in new 10-dose vials in boxes of 10 vials each, meaning each box includes 100 doses.
The new pediatric vaccine also includes a new buffer to improve stability at refrigerated temperatures. Pfizer-BioNTech will use new ultracold product shippers that will maintain product at -80°C. Once the vaccine arrives at the provider’s location, however, it can be stored at regular vaccine refrigerator temperatures (2°C-8°C) for 10 weeks, or it can be stored at ultracold temperatures for up to six months.
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The following statement is attributed to Dr. Walensky in the CDC media statement for the new recommendations for pediatric COVID-19 immunizations:
“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”
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