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Feb. 1, 2022, 9:32 p.m.

What parents need to know about a possible COVID vaccine for children under age 5

Summary

Pfizer asked the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday to authorize two low-dose shots for children between six months and 5 years old. Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a professor of pediatric infectious disease at Stanford University who has helped conduct trials for the under-5 vaccine, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Five Facts

  • Who is interviewed in this piece, and what is her background?
  • What is the pharmaceutical company Pfizer asking from the federal government?
  • Why has it taken so long to approve COVID vaccines for children under five, according to this piece?
  • How does the drug approval process work, according to this piece?
  • How will the vaccine dose for children five and under be different than the dose given to older children and adults?

Focus Questions

How do you think it might impact how society manages COVID once people of all ages are eligible for the vaccine? Do you think day-to-day life might change? If so, in what way? Media literacy: What perspective does guest Dr. Yvonne Maldonado bring to this story? What unique information does her specific experience bring to the story?

For More

How might vaccine eligibility for young children and infants impact local rules such as vaccine mandates? See this story for one perspective .

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