Why Young Children May Not Get Covid Shots This Fall
Pfizer confirmed the possibility on Monday evening and said that the company was “currently in discussions with the agency on potential paths forward.” For children 5 to 11 years old, the Pfizer vaccine is expected to be approved and available, according to the C.D.C.’s email, which was reviewed by The New York Times. Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like. [...] Pfizer’s vaccine has long been available to these children under so-called emergency use authorization. But the Food and Drug Administration is considering discontinuing the authorization for that age group, according to an email sent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to state and local health departments. [...] Apoorva Mandavilli reports on science and global health for The Times, with a focus on infectious diseases and pandemics and the public health agencies that try to manage them. A version of this article appears in print on Aug. 13, 2025, Section A, Page 13 of the New York edition with the headline: F.D.A. Might Withdraw Authorization for Children Under 5 to Get Covid Vaccine. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
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On August 11, 2025, an email from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to state and local health departments hinted at a critical development in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical entity in the fight against the pandemic, confirmed that it is in discussions with the FDA regarding the possibility of withdrawing emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID vaccine for children aged 5 and under. This announcement comes as the country braced for a new fall season, where the potential for resurgent COVID-19 cases looms large.
For more than two years, the Pfizer vaccine has been administered under EUA to millions of children, providing a layer of protection as schools reopened and social interactions resumed. However, the current discussions around potential discontinuation of this EUA raise pressing questions for parents and health officials. If implemented, the withdrawal could leave a significant gap in the immunization coverage for one of the most vulnerable demographics — young children.
According to Pfizer, the rationale for these discussions is centered around evolving safety and efficacy data. The company indicated that it is committed to exploring possible pathways that ensure the health and safety of young children. This aligns with a broader contemplation by health authorities who are systematically reviewing the impact of vaccines, particularly as variants of the virus continue to emerge.
Experts, including Dr. Jane Wilson, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, express concern that halting vaccination efforts could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases among children. “We know that young children are not as severely impacted by COVID-19 as older adults, but they are not immune,