Gov. Polis Urges CDC, FDA to Review Safe and Effective COVID Vaccine for Children Under 5 to Give Parents Peace of Mind, Protect Health of Youngest Americans

DENVER - As the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets this Thursday, Governor Polis is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize the safe and effective COVID vaccine for children under 5, empowering the ACIP to review the application this week and the CDC to approve the life-saving vaccine for use for this age group. 

Three weeks have quickly passed since Moderna formally submitted their application to the FDA, and no action has been taken on the application. Pfizer submitted their application on COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 year olds on Oct. 7, 2021. Three weeks later — on Oct. 29, 2021 — the FDA authorized the vaccine for 5-11 year olds.  

“Families with children younger than 5 are increasingly frustrated and worried for their children’s safety. I urge the FDA to approve and ACIP to review Moderna’s application this Thursday to give parents peace of mind, and cut red tape to help families safely visit their relatives or enjoy summer activities with peace of mind,” said Gov. Polis.

Last week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker joined Gov. Polis in sending a bipartisan letter calling on President Biden to urge the FDA to act quickly to authorize a safe, effective, lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5. In April, Gov. Polis urged the White House to provide more urgency and action from the FDA to authorize a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 years of age.