“The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the world’s largest organization of pediatric infectious diseases specialists, strongly supports a universal recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination of children 5-11 years of age, as authorized by the FDA. PIDS also strongly encourages efforts to ensure equitable access to pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
“More than 28 million children will be eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 with this recommendation. To date, over 6 million children have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Vaccination will provide children with critical protection against serious disease and long-term complications of COVID-19 and will help bolster overall immunity in the community.
“Vaccinating school-aged children has other benefits, such as limiting disruption in school attendance, which allows children to participate in learning and other activities that are crucial for mental health and development.
“PIDS is encouraged that the federal government has developed a vaccine implementation plan that includes pre-purchasing vaccine doses for children and outlining a multi-pronged distribution strategy. The federal government and state and local partners should collaborate with trusted community-based organizations to ensure equitable vaccine access and uptake.
“This is a good time for parents to ensure that children are also up-to-date on all of the other recommended vaccines of childhood, including seasonal influenza. Vaccinate, don’t procrastinate.”
C. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS – President, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
About PIDS
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS) is the world’s largest organization of professionals dedicated to the treatment, control, and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children. Membership is comprised of physicians, doctoral-level scientists, and others who have trained or are in training in infectious diseases or its related disciplines, and who are identified with the discipline of pediatric infectious diseases or related disciplines through clinical practice, research, teaching, and/or administration activities. For more information, visit www.pids.org.
Improving the health of children worldwide through philanthropic support of scientific and educational programs.
