Biden administration to target vaccine hesitancy in young children as winter surge looms
Health officials are concerned about low vaccination rates among young children as the weather cools and more people gather indoors.
The administration is launching a new campaign to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated and is working to make vaccines more accessible.
The Biden administration is launching a new campaign to encourage parents to get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19 as the weather cools and more people gather indoors, increasing the risk of a winter surge in cases.
Only about a third of children ages 6 months to 4 years have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's much lower than the vaccination rate for older children and adults.
Health officials are concerned about the low vaccination rates among young children because they are more likely to get sick from COVID-19 than older children and adults. They are also more likely to spread the virus to others, including people who are more vulnerable to severe illness.
The administration's new campaign will include public service announcements, social media outreach, and community events. The administration is also working to make vaccines more accessible by expanding the number of places where they are available and by providing free transportation to vaccination sites.
In addition to the new campaign, the administration is also working on developing a vaccine specifically for young children. This vaccine could be available as early as next year.
The administration's efforts to increase vaccination rates among young children are part of a broader effort to prevent a winter surge in COVID-19 cases. The administration is also urging people to get their booster shots and to take other precautions, such as wearing masks in indoor public spaces.
Conclusion
The Biden administration is taking steps to increase vaccination rates among young children as the weather cools and more people gather indoors. The administration is launching a new campaign to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated and is working to make vaccines more accessible. These efforts are part of a broader effort to prevent a winter surge in COVID-19 cases.