Biden encourages parents to get kids vaccinated against COVID

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden encouraged parents and guardians to motion their children up to get vaccinated during remarks helium delivered Wednesday.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the exigency usage of a smaller dose of Pfizer’s vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 past Friday, and connected Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the vaccine for that property group.

During his code astir the vaccine’s authorization for kids, Biden said 28 cardinal much young Americans are present eligible for the extortion of a vaccine, and his medication is acceptable to signifier the motorboat of the shots.

“Today’s a large time for American parents and American families and American children. We’ve taken a elephantine measurement guardant to accelerate our way retired of this pandemic,” said Biden. “After months of rigorous and technological review, the FDA authorized and the CDC recommended a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. For parents each implicit this country, this a time of alleviation and celebration.”

Biden said that arsenic soon arsenic adjacent week, the U.S. volition person capable of the pediatric vaccines successful capable places and parents volition beryllium capable to docket appointments to get their kids their archetypal shots. He added that the U.S. has already secured capable vaccine proviso for each azygous kid successful America, ages 5-11.

The president said his medication has been moving with acquisition officials to bring vaccinations to schools.

“As of today, much than 6,000 schoolhouse clinics person already been planned successful schoolhouse districts astir the country. These efforts volition besides guarantee equity. That is the halfway of our children’s vaccination program, arsenic it has been for adults,” said Biden.

Biden besides spoke to those parents who whitethorn hesitate to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I cognize galore parents person been anxiously waiting for this day, but I besides cognize that immoderate families mightiness person questions. So, trusted messengers, similar your pediatricians and household doctors, volition beryllium capable to reply your questions,” said Biden.

Biden warned that children marque up a 4th of the COVID-19 cases successful the country. And though its rare, these kids van get precise sick and extremity up hospitalized.

“But they don’t person to,” said Biden. “This vaccine is harmless and effective, truthful get your children vaccinated to support themselves, to support others, and to halt the spread, and to assistance america bushed this pandemic.”

In summation to talking astir the vaccines for children, Biden besides encouraged those eligible for booster shots to get them, particularly seniors.