U.S. gives final clearance to COVID-19 shots for kids 5 to 11

The decision marks the first opportunity for Americans under 12 to get the powerful protection of any COVID-19 vaccine

U.S. health officials on November 2 gave the final signoff to , a milestone that opens a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign to children as young as 5.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already authorised the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.