FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
August 18, 2025
Physicians Urge FDA to Maintain Authorization of Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine for Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Doctors for America Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Task Force is urging the FDA to preserve the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5 years old, and sounding the alarm that revoking the EUA for the only vaccine approved for infants and young children puts young lives at unnecessary risk, undermines trust in the FDA and jeopardizes public health.
Parents have had the freedom to choose to vaccinate their very young children in shared decision-making with their doctor since June 2022. COVID-19 hospitalization rates for very young children are the same as for the elderly and the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection are just being recognized.COVID-19 remains a threat to children, particularly those with underlying health conditions, as well as to their families and communities. Removing access to this vaccine could not only leave children more vulnerable, it could reverse years of progress in preventing COVID-19 infections and severe outcomes.
As physicians, our first responsibility is to protect the health and well-being of our patients, including young children. Revoking the authorization for this vaccine that has consistently proven to be safe and effective will not only harm patients but could create confusion among parents and weaken public confidence in childhood immunizations.
DFA’s FDA Task Force urges FDA to reaffirm its commitment to evidence-based decision making and to the protection of public health by keeping the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available to all children.
For press inquiries and to speak more on this issue with members of Doctors for America, please contact Alli Everton with Continuum Health Group ([email protected]).
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America (DFA) is a national movement of over 40,000 physicians and medical students across all 50 states and every specialty who are committed to putting patients over politics. We mobilize and train clinicians to be effective advocates, equipping them with the skills to influence policy and lead change at both state and federal levels. Our work focuses on three core areas: expanding access to affordable care, strengthening community health and prevention, and advancing health justice and equity. Unlike many organizations, DFA does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, insurers, or for-profit healthcare corporations—ensuring that our voice remains independent, trusted, and grounded solely in what is best for patients. By uniting the trusted voices of doctors and medical trainees, DFA drives policy change, defends evidence-based care, and works to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.