Speaking during a Wuhan coronavirus press briefing Wednesday morning, Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky said young children ages 5-11 will still need to wear masks even if they are vaccinated against the disease.
"After we have authorization from FDA and recommendations from CDC, we will be working to scale up pediatric vaccination. That said, it will take some time. And as I just noted, as we head into these winter months, we know we cannot be complacent," Walensky said. "We are going to continue to recommend masks in all schools for all people in those schools, and we will look forward to scaling up pediatric vaccination during this period of time."
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says that they will continue to recommend schools have mask mandates even after the FDA approves vaccinations for children:
— X Strategies LLC (@XStrategiesLLC) October 20, 2021
"As we head into these winter months, we cannot be complacent." pic.twitter.com/jFd5heAkvg
There is absolutely no off-ramp for sticking kids in masks for 8 hours a day with hysterical people like Walensky in charge. Hope her kid gets to go to camp in 2025. https://t.co/hXxc4F2WJD
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) October 20, 2021
The FDA has not approved a Wuhan coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5-11, but the White House put out a plan to vaccinate the age group Wednesday morning. According to data and doctors, the risk to children from the disease is extremely low.
"In anticipation of the FDA’s independent advisory committee meeting on October 26 and the CDC’s independent advisory committee meeting on November 2-3, today the Biden Administration is announcing a plan to ensure that, if a vaccine is authorized for children ages 5-11, it is quickly distributed and made conveniently and equitably available to families across the country," the White House released. "The start of a vaccination program for children ages 5-11 will depend on the independent FDA and CDC process and timeline, but our planning efforts mean that we will be ready to begin getting shots in arms in the days following a final CDC recommendation."