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“We know that access will be critical here,” Bernstein said, adding that management has been exploring ways to provide “a kid-friendly experience that allows us to arm ourselves with trusted providers” in recent weeks. in a way that makes parents feel comfortable.”

Other experts said Wednesday that it made sense for authorities to plan ahead.

A professor of public health policy at Yale, Dr. “The truth is, it would be absolutely foolish not to come up with a well-detailed plan,” Howard Forman said, adding that paramedics are in “clinical practices, schools, and other settings.” interacting children must be thinking about this right now.”

The 5-11 age group is much larger than the 12-15 age group with 17 million members. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in May. To ensure adequate supply, administration has purchased enough doses to vaccinate the younger age group, and officials say they are considering sending 15 million doses to states immediately.

The younger group will not be expected to queue up at mass vaccination centres: “We don’t want ordinary children,” said Bernstein, noting that children tend to be more susceptible patients. (Read: They cry.) Smaller venues such as pediatric practices, children’s hospitals and pharmacies with in-store clinics will be the preferred options.

The needles that administer the vaccine and the vials that hold it need to be smaller for easier storage. (For children ages 5 to 11, the Pfizer dose is expected to contain 10 micrograms, rather than the 30 microgram dose used for ages 12 and older.) Child-size vials can be stored for up to 10 weeks at standard refrigerating temperatures, and lower, according to guidance made public Wednesday by management officials. six months at temperatures.

Taking cues from what works when vaccines are released to teens whose vaccines often require parental consent, officials also rely on local health professionals, whom they believe are more trustworthy in their communities and can help reach high-risk children. “Children’s hospitals and health systems will be a critical part of our efforts to advance equity and provide access to our nation’s highest-risk children, including those with obesity, diabetes, asthma or the immunocompromised,” the guide said.

Bernstein said that if the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse “full funding to states to support vaccines and outreach.”