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Children as young as six months old are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved dosages submitted by Pfizer and Moderna.

Children under age 5 can now get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends vaccines for all eligible children. Doses are expected to arrive this week in North Carolina and within a matter of days to Mecklenburg County. The first approval was by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the CDC.

“Many parents and families have been eagerly awaiting a vaccine to protect our youngest North Carolinians,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “These vaccines are the best way to protect children from COVID-19 – they are safe, effective and free.”

During the pandemic, children have had the highest number of hospitalizations compared to other pediatric age groups, according to the CDC. Covid cases in adolescents can lead to hospitalizations, death, or cause long term effects such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which causes inflammation to various parts of the body.

Vaccines can reduce COVID infection and transmission within local communities so there are fewer outbreaks in the summer and when school starts in August. Children six months to 4 years old are now eligible to receive a smaller dose of the vaccine compared to the vaccine that was approved for kids age 5-11. Booster shots are not authorized for children under the age of 5.

The delay in having this age group approved was because doctors wanted to ensure the efficacy of the inoculation for smaller kids.

“Because this was our younger kid group, they wanted to be sure that this was going to be as efficacious as it was in the older children and adults,” said Kevin Buckley, pediatric infectious disease doctor at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. “I think some of the delay in approving these vaccines were more just in making sure there was the data there that supported the efficacy rather than any concerns over the safety.”

Clinical trials began in March and tests showed that the Moderna and Pfizer shots are safe and effective for six-month-olds. Pfizer’s vaccine is approved for three small doses and the Moderna vaccine was approved for two. Moderna is undergoing testing for third doses. More data is expected to become available this summer.

Studies indicate there were no serious side effects or safety concerns for kids within this age group who were vaccinated.

Kids may experience minimal side effects such as a sore arm, headache, and feeling tired for a day or two.

Parents should call ahead to their child’s pediatrician or health provider to ensure vaccines are available.

Health officials say it is safe for children to receive their COVID shots at the same time as other vaccines as part of their routine checkup.

Children between the ages of three and five can get vaccinated at a pharmacy, grocery store, in addition to doctor offices or local health centers. However, children under the age of three are not allowed to receive a vaccine by a pharmacist.

For more information on COVID vaccines for children and available appointments in your area, visit MySpot.nc.gov.

Aaliyah Bowden, who covers health for The Post, is a Report For America corps member.

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