“We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Walensky gave her thumbs-up just hours after the 12-member committee's unanimous recommendation.

The American Medical Association, the American Association of Pediatrics and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners also expressed their support Saturday for the vaccines

The actions clear the way for 10 million vaccine doses, which have already been pre-ordered from the federal government, to begin delivery and distribution as soon as Tuesday (after the Monday Juneteenth federal holiday).

The vaccines are safe and trigger the same immune response that has protected older children and adults, the advisory panel decided Saturday.

"All children six months and older should be immunized against COVID," said committee member Dr. Sarah Long, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at