CDC, FDA, NMDOH approve vaccines for kids
Kids in New Mexico are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the New Mexico Department of Health and the Public Education Department.
The Centers for Disease Control approved vaccines for kids between the ages of 5 and 11 on Tuesday (Nov. 2) after the Food and Drug Administration approved the use on Oct. 29.
This marks the first time children under 12 will be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Approval was given to PfizerBioNTech to begin making a smaller-dose version of their vaccine for kids, containing just one-third of the amount of active ingredients in the adult dose.
Kids who get vaccinated would receive a booster shot three weeks or longer after receiving the first shot.
Children’s vaccine shipments are arriving in New Mexico between Nov. 1 and Nov. 10, and some providers have not yet received their shipments, according to a statement. This may make appointments for 5-11 year old slightly harder to come by.
“Our children continue to be vulnerable without a vaccination. We encourage parents to schedule appointments with their medical provider or via vaccineNM.org – so kids can go back to being kids,” said DOH Deputy Secretary Dr. Laura Parajon in a press release.
“This is great news for New Mexico public schools, where the spread of COVID-19 continues to be a real concern,” Public Education Secretary (Designate) Kurt Steinhaus said. “This means our elementary school students can now be protected from the dangers of COVID-19 just as their older siblings, parents, grandparents and teachers are already. We welcome these safe vaccines and urge parents to get them into children’s arms as quickly as possible to keep young children healthy and to avoid further community spread.”
The state is encouraging parents to sign their children up to receive the vaccine at any of the regular facilities (pharmacies, hospitals, etc.). Parents can go to vaccinenm.org/kids to add dependents to their existing vaccine profile.