CDC panel recommends COVID-19 shot for kids under 5

A government advisory panel endorsed two COVID-19 vaccines for babies and preschoolers Saturday, clearing the second-to-last hurdle for the long-awaited shots.

The advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted 12-0 in favor of the vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky must sign off on them before they can be distributed.

“This infection kills children and we have an opportunity to prevent that,” Beth Bell, one of the doctors on the panel, said following the vote. “Here is an opportunity to prevent a known risk.”

The Food and Drugs Administration authorized the shots Friday. The Modern vaccine is for children 6 months to 5 years and Pfizer’s shot is for those 6 months to 4 years.

The vaccines are expected to begin rolling out next week.

With Post wires