Jill Biden to kick off effort to encourage vaccines among children 5 to 11

First lady Jill Biden is scheduled to begin a nationwide effort by the Biden administration to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations among children ages 5 to 11 next week, after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for use in this age group. 

The White House announced that Biden will travel to McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C., on Monday to visit a pediatric coronavirus vaccine clinic at Franklin Sherman Elementary School. The elementary school has historical significance because it was the first to administer the polio vaccine more than half a century ago, which the White House noted in the announcement Friday morning.

The Biden administration has undertaken similar campaigns to encourage vaccines among those ages 15 and up, seeking to answer questions that unsure Americans may have and to combat misinformation about the shots.

The first lady, who is herself a teacher, has been a key player in that effort. She has traveled across the country to encourage vaccinations, including appearing alongside Anthony Fauci at a local children’s vaccination clinic in May to spotlight vaccines in those ages 15 and up.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave final clearance for the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 on Tuesday. President Biden hailed it as a “giant step forward” in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and urged parents to get their eligible children vaccinated.

The Biden administration rolled out a plan to vaccinate the younger age group back on October in preparation for the potential authorization. The administration says it has purchased enough vaccine to cover the 28 million children ages 5 to 11 in the U.S.

Biden said Wednesday that the program would be “fully up and running” by next week.