Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has proven efficacious in children between the ages of 5 and 11, according to research submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While data have been released to health regulators on the efficacy of Pfizer’s vaccine in this age group, a formal application with the FDA to authorize its use is still pending. According to the FDA, they hope to make a conclusion about the vaccine’s use in children ages 5 to 11 within weeks of receiving the data.
However, if a formal application is submitted to the FDA in the coming weeks—as Pfizer hopes—there will still be some time before authorization can be approved. This process will likely take until late November 2021 to complete, although it is possible that the vaccine could become available sooner in the month. Pfizer also hopes to request emergency use authorization for children ages 5 to 11 as soon as possible, likely within the coming weeks.
The Pfizer vaccine for elementary school-aged children has been tested at a lower dose than Pfizer’s vaccine for adults, but researchers have found that the immune response was comparable among all age groups. Considering that younger children have been vulnerable for much of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be a critical demographic in the community spread of COVID-19, these pending authorizations are good news for their safety and the trajectory of the illness.
In addition to Pfizer, Moderna is also studying its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11. The results of these studies are expected to be released later this year [1].
Source:
[1] Lemire, J. (2021, September 28). Pfizer vaccine for kids may not be available until November. AP NEWS. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-public-health-coronavirus-vaccine-c7b36467a538f88c912c5b5b7633d6d4
