Prioritizing Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Children: A Guide for State Advocates

Immunizing children against COVID-19 is an essential component of reducing its spread. With 48 million children under age 12 in the United States, well-planned distribution strategies are critical not only to protect the health and wellbeing of children but also to center community needs and prioritize equity from the outset. To achieve equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for children, states must look at their previous implementation efforts and address missed opportunities to prioritize equity in their process. This paper identifies four vaccine strategies and key actions states can take to center equity in their rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for children and achieve equitable distribution from the start this time around.