A vaccine for kids aged 5 and under is nearing approval: Here's how it might impact your spring travel plans

A two-dose COVID-19 vaccine could soon be accessible for children under 5, as Pfizer and BioNTech are currently pursuing Emergency Use Authorization for the initial two doses of a proposed three-dose vaccine for kids as young as 6 months.

This authorization would be a relief for parents looking to travel as the omicron variant continues to circulate.

To date, over 10.6 million children have contracted COVID-19 in the U.S., with those under 4 representing more than 1.6 million of these cases, according to data from Pfizer.

Here’s what families need to know about the current status of COVID-19 vaccines for young children – and when they should begin planning their travels, based on the latest timeline.

When will kids be eligible for vaccination?

On Monday, February 1, Pfizer announced they are requesting Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccine "following a request from the FDA," suggesting that the U.S. government is likely to approve its use promptly. The biotech firms indicated they "anticipate completing their submission in the upcoming days."

The application pertains to authorization for the first two 3-microgram doses of a planned three-dose series for this age group, while they mentioned that "data on a third dose administered at least eight weeks after the second dose is expected in the coming months," which could lead to a broader request to the FDA for the third dose's authorization.

"We ultimately believe that three doses of the vaccine will be necessary for children aged 6 months to 4 years to achieve strong protection against current and potential future variants," stated Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. "If two doses receive authorization, parents will have the chance to start a COVID-19 vaccination series for their children while waiting for possible approval of a third dose."

If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves it, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be the first COVID-19 vaccine accessible to children under 5.

When can families start planning trips with kids?

Once the initial two doses of the vaccine are authorized for young children, you'll want to quickly schedule an appointment since many other families will likely be doing the same. Delaying even a single day means your child’s full vaccination status is pushed back as well.

Pfizer and BioNTech "intend to ensure a sufficient supply of the 3-microgram dose to meet demand if the FDA approves the EUA application," following their earlier commitment to deliver over 4 billion doses of the vaccine worldwide in 2022.

"The companies continue to provide the vaccine under their existing supply agreement with the U.S. government, which remains in effect until April 2022," they stated in an announcement.

If granted approval, children in this age group can expect to be eligible for a third dose at least two months after receiving their second dose.

If you have spring break plans and hoped your kids would be fully vaccinated by then, it’s likely that won’t occur, although they may receive their first dose. The second dose is generally given at least three weeks later.

For a two-dose vaccine, full vaccination is usually recognized two weeks after the second shot. For instance, if a child gets their first dose on February 8 (assuming the two-dose vaccine is approved by that time), they could theoretically receive their second on March 1. In this scenario, they would likely be considered fully vaccinated two weeks later, on March 15. Most destinations with vaccination mandates classify travelers as fully vaccinated two weeks post-final dose, so keep this in mind when planning your travels.

It remains unclear whether countries will require travelers in this age group to be fully vaccinated after the first two doses or if a potential third dose will be seen as a booster. Some nations, like France, only require adult travelers to have a booster to access specific public locations restricted to those fully vaccinated.

Where can families currently travel with unvaccinated children?

Many destinations have eased their restrictions slightly for families traveling with kids under 5, primarily because this age group is not yet eligible for vaccination. However, families should carefully review the entry requirements, as they can vary significantly based on the destination.

Some places allow young children to bypass testing entirely when traveling with a vaccinated parent. For example, children under 12 traveling to France are exempt from testing, vaccination, and booster requirements altogether.

Others have stricter regulations. Argentina does not mandate unvaccinated children to quarantine upon arrival, but the Argentine government recommends that minors refrain from participating in social activities or large events for seven days. While there's no official prohibition on children attending these gatherings, families might prefer to avoid countries with strict or ambiguous rules until their young children can receive vaccinations.

We've spent considerable time over the last two years discussing pandemic regulations for children on land and in the air, but young children are also joining their families on cruises. Very young children can cruise, but several major cruise lines now require children as young as 5 to be fully vaccinated to board.

Where can I find a COVID-19 test for kids?

If you need a COVID-19 test for a very young child, ensure the facility you visit is capable of administering them. Many major pharmacies cater to younger patients, but CVS and Walgreens only serve those 3 years and older. Rite Aid offers tests at no charge for anyone over 4.

Last year, the CDC expanded the testing program for international travel to the United States, allowing airlines to accept at-home instant tests with remote supervision. However, if you're considering using an at-home test approved for travel, be aware that some tests may have age limitations. For instance, Amazon's COVID-19 test is not available for children at all.

Cue Health's COVID-19 test and the widely used Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test are authorized for individuals aged 2 and older (an adult must supervise test takers under 14).

You shouldn't have difficulty obtaining tests for children younger than 2, as many countries, including the U.S., do not require testing for this age group. Regardless, make sure you're visiting a testing facility or purchasing a COVID-19 test suitable for family members of all ages.

In summary

While we aren't quite there yet, we are closer than ever to launching a vaccine for younger children.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t travel or plan trips with your little ones. Many destinations recognize that very young children can’t be vaccinated yet and don’t impose excessive restrictions on this age group.

This suggests that traveling with very young unvaccinated kids shouldn’t pose too much of a logistical challenge, but the reassurance of knowing your entire family is vaccinated while traveling seems to be on the horizon.