The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended coronavirus vaccines for children under five years of age.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Saturday endorsed an advisory committee's recommendation to vaccinate all children between the ages of six months and five years.

The decision came after the US Food and Drug Administration authorized on Friday emergency use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the under-five age groups.

The FDA approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for infants and children from six months through four years of age, and the Moderna vaccine for those aged six months through 17.

Currently, the minimum required age for coronavirus vaccine shots in the United States is five years old.

Walensky said in a statement, "we have taken another important step forward in our nation's fight against COVID-19. We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today's decision, they can."

The vaccine rollout for the expanded age groups in the US is expected to begin soon.