The go-ahead from CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is a watershed moment in the fight against the pandemic, which has killed 745,000 people in the United States and infected nearly 2 million kids. Millions of families have waited for a children’s vaccine since the first adult shot was authorized last December, hoping their kids could finally resume in-person schooling and extracurricular activities without interruption — and that their own work schedules could become more predictable…
White House officials say pediatric vaccinations will be in full gear by next week — welcome news especially for families who live in multigenerational households and those eager to gather in large groups for the coming holidays. For the substantial number who remain distrustful of the vaccine, public health officials face a gargantuan task of persuading them to allow their kids to get the shots. That task is made more urgent by concerns about another wave of infections during the cold-weather months, when people spend more time indoors and respiratory illnesses spread more easily.
Several panel members said they have vaccinated older children and grandchildren and plan to get the shots for younger children who are now eligible.
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