FDA authorizes Covid-19 vaccines for younger children, El Paso health experts weigh in

EL PASO, Texas -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Covid-19 vaccine authorization to children as young as six months. This includes Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.

Vaccines won't be given just yet, as authorization must pass a vote from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisors. This vote is scheduled for Saturday.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has already agreed to the authorization. The White House suggests they may even begin vaccinating younger children early next week.

This comes as the trends in El Paso show an uptick in cases, with 300 new positive cases being announced today. There are currently 3,901 active cases.

Parents that spoke with ABC-7 said they're hesitant about getting their young children vaccinated.

"I'm still waiting to see the long-term effects of it," said Savanna Griffin. She has three children including 2 a half-year-old daughter who falls in the age group the FDA just approved.

While she is hesitant to vaccinate her children, she says she understands the benefit the FDA's approval has for families in the Borderland.

"It definitely can be for children that have immune-compromised and children and families that are at risk. I think it's a good option for the kids to protect your whole family," said Griffin.

"One of my brothers had a reaction to the vaccine and we prefer not to vaccinate the kids," said Elina Marquez. She has a 3-month-old, a 1 yr old, and a 4-year-old in her family. She worries the FDA is approving the vaccine for an age range that is too young to receive it.

"In kids, Covid ,all though can be important, has not been a real driver of deaths at this point," said Jeffery Schuster Chief Medical Officer at El Paso's Children's Hospital. "Last time I checked for this age group under five, there'd been 442 deaths in the United States and that's out of more than a million."

Schuster knows parents are hesitant about the Covid vaccine but worries that hesitance will translate to in all vaccines.

"We're seeing patients, for instance, I don't really trust vaccines any more, I'm not gonna get my measles vaccine and that's dangerous," said Schuster.

Schuster says ultimately though he recommends the Covid vaccines for children with underlying medical conditions he understands if parents forgo it.

"Most kids do fine with Covid I don't hit people with sticks if they don't get their kids vaccinated," said Schuster.