Credit ACIP/CDC
#15,957
After receiving an EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) from the FDA earlier this week for use in young adolescents, yesterday the CDC's independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously (14-0) to recommend using Pfizer's two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 12 to 15 years old.
The CDC's director, Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, released the following statement in support of this decision yesterday afternoon.
CDC Director Statement on Pfizer’s Use of COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Age 12 and Older
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: May 12, 2021
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
Today, I adopted CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that endorsed the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and its use in 12- through 15-year-old adolescents. CDC now recommends that this vaccine be used among this population, and providers may begin vaccinating them right away.Though most children with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, some children can get severely ill and require hospitalization. There have also been rare, tragic cases of children dying from COVID-19 and its effects, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C.This official CDC recommendation follows Monday’s FDA decision to authorize emergency use of this vaccine in 12- through 15-year-old adolescents, and is another important step to getting out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and closer to normalcy.
Tomorrow afternoon the CDC will hold an hour-long COCA (Clinicians Outreach Communications Activity) Call providing health care professionals with information on the vaccination of this latest cohort.
COCA Calls are often technical, and are of greatest interest to clinicians and healthcare providers, but also may be of interest to the general public.
As always, If you are unable to attend the live presentation, these (and past) webinars are archived and available for later viewing at this LINK. Details on tomorrow's presentation follow:
What Clinicians Need to Know About Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccination of Adolescents
Overview
This COCA Call will give clinicians an overview of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents who are 12-to-15 years of age. Clinicians will learn about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, vaccine recommendations, and clinical guidance for using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents in this age group.
Presenters
Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH
LCDR, U.S. Public Health Service
Co-lead, Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices COVID-19 Vaccines Work Group
COVID-19 Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Kate Woodworth, MD, MPH
Medical Officer, Clinical Guidance Team
COVID-19 Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tanya Myers, PhD, MSc
v-safe Team Co-Lead
COVID-19 Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Call Materials
To be posted. Please check back.
Call Details
When:
Friday, May 14, 2021,
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Webinar Link:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1613161163?pwd=eHpsTDNXa3A2TXNVckJTSmRTaWV6QT09external icon
OR
Dial-in US:
US:+1 669 254 5252 or +1 646 828 7666 or
+1 551 285 1373 or +1 669 216 1590
Webinar ID: 161 316 1163
Passcode: 810483
OR
One-tap mobile :
US: +16692545252,,1613161163#,,,,*810483# or +16468287666,,1613161163#,,,,*810483#
International numbers available: https://www.zoomgov.com/u/abihFRxiLe
