White House releases COVID vaccine distribution plans for children ages 5-11. What to know

The White House released plans Wednesday of how the federal government will distribute the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, which could be approved early next month.

The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are considering whether to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old. Currently, those older than 12 years old can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Biden administration said it has secured enough vaccines to vaccinate the country’s 28 million children for the new age range, a release said. The two-shot vaccine, which will be one-third of the amount given to people 12 years and older, will have packaging available in smaller configurations that will make it easier for physicians’ offices and other smaller, community-based providers to offer the vaccine to children.

Vaccine doses will be available at 25,000 pediatric and primary care sites, and tens of thousands of hospitals, pharmacies, community health centers, and school- and community-based sites.

The White House said the Department of Health and Human Services also plans to conduct a national public education campaign with trusted messengers, schools, health departments, faith leaders and national and community organizations to increase vaccine confidence.

The federal agency also plans to reach out to parents through social media and in multiple languages about the vaccine.

Specific plans by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control are expected to be discussed at their Wednesday afternoon media briefing.

Reporter Zak Koeske contributed to this article.