STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With 231,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine expected to arrive next week, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the shot will be made immediately available to children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old once the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approves it.
“We are so ready,” de Blasio said as he discussed the city’s preparation to roll out vaccines for children 5 to 11 years old at his Thursday media briefing.
An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Association (FDA) recommended the FDA approve the Pfizer-BionNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years old on Tuesday. The FDA is expected to make a decision, most likely in accordance with the panel’s advice, over the next few days. The CDC is the deciding factor on the matter. The CDC’s advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
The mayor said the city will be ready to roll out vaccines within hours of receiving the green light from the CDC. The shots will be available within the first 24 hours at city-run vaccination sites and pediatricians’ offices, pharmacies and other providers within 48 hours.
“I am very excited about this because this is what’s going to be another game changer for us making families safer, of course our children safer, our whole community safer and it’s coming real soon,” de Blasio said. “This is a moment parents have been waiting for to know their kids will be safe.”
The mayor’s announcement comes on the heels of Governor Kathy Hochul announcing that the state has pre-ordered a total of 380,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the 5 to 11 age group on Wednesday.
NYC HITS VAX MILESTONE
The mayor then excitedly announced the city’s latest milestone with vaccinations. As of Thursday, more than 12 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in New York City.
“I love when we hit these milestones because it just says how extraordinary New Yorkers have been in fighting back against COVID, doing the right thing, helping everyone move forward,” de Blasio said. “That says so much about why the city is coming back and coming back so strong.”
DR. CHOKSHI REASONS WITH STATISTICS
During the media briefing Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi shared some statistics to reason with families who may be hesitant about vaccinating their children.
He referred to Pfizer’s study with 2,200 children in which the vaccine was “well tolerated” and 90% effective against symptomatic COVID-19.
“Even with the Delta variants circulating children had robust immune responses to the two doses of vaccine which are one third. The dose currently being administered to adults and adolescents. This is to reduce side effects,” he said.
Chokshi empathized as a father acknowledging the “complicated set of emotions at play,” but noted that the parents’ decision should ultimately be about their children’s safety.
“While COVID-19 is thankfully sickening fewer children than adults, it remains a risk. Across the country more than 6 million children have been infected, some with long-term effects and more than 23,500 are hospitalized from it. And sadly, it is the nation’s eighth leading cause of death for children five to eleven, according to the FDA committee,” the health commissioner said, noting that pediatricians and family physicians across the nation have been endorsing the vaccine.
“The president of the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that their recommendation was, ‘for the same reason pediatricians recommend seat belts and car seats because it’s about protection and security,’” Chokshi added.
Chokshi also reminded families to get their flu shots.
NEW VACCINE RESOURCES
The city will be launching a public information campaign working closely with Department of Education (DOE) partners to address parents’ questions. There will also be a special hotline to connect parents directly with medical professionals to discuss their concerns.
Both de Blasio and Chokshi encouraged families to consult their family physicians and pediatricians about the vaccine.
On Wednesday, Governor Hochul also announced a new campaign, #GetTheVaxFacts, to debunk misinformation about the vaccine.
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NYC orders 231K vaccines for children ages 5 to 11; roll-out will immediately follow CDC approval, de Blasio - silive.com
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