Columbus, OH,
18
November
2021
|
16:42 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

NBC4: Ohio Doctors Look to Next Round of Vaccine Eligibility

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was given emergency use authorization for children ages five to 11 in the fall of 2021.  Now questions turn to the next age group, those under five.  

Joseph Gastaldo, MD, OhioHealth system medical director of infectious diseases,rencently told NBC4 reporter Catherine Ross that he believes children under five may be able to get the Pfizer vaccine in early or mid-2022.

 “Of course that takes time, but more importantly, we really do not want to cut any corners and we really want to emphasize the safety of these vaccines,” Dr. Gastaldo told NBC4.

He told NBC4 that he thinks the next emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine will next be for kids ages two to four, followed by ages six to 23 months. Like adults and older children, the vaccine will be given into two doses. Younger children receive a smaller dose compared to adults and older kids.