SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — As soon as the Food and Drug Administration approves the new COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is planning to distribute 10 million doses as early as Feb. 21.
The FDA is expected to make a decision in the next week or so, and if approval is granted, the CDC released a guide earlier this week for vaccine providers to prepare for the vaccine shipments.
The first 10 million doses will be split into two different waves of five million each, according to the guide.
Pharmacies and vaccine providers can begin preordering starting 9 a.m. on Feb. 7, ending at 9 a.m. on February 11.
"Jurisdictions should begin to prioritize which sites would be first to receive doses based on various considerations," the guide said.
These considerations include, "vaccinating children at highest risk for severe COVID-19 disease; ensuring vaccine equity; feasibility of sites efficiently implementing the vaccine program."
"All jurisdictions should submit a least one order during this time to ensure all jurisdictions receive shipments of vaccine as product launches," the guide continued.
"While avoiding distributing inventory across too many sites and seeking to minimize vaccine loss, jurisdictions and clinicians should ensure that no vaccination opportunity is missed," said the guide.
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