Clinical trials found that a pediatric dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was ‘safe and 90 percent effective.’
The United States already authorized the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer for adults and adolescents. The same is true for the brand’s booster shots, although recommendations apply only to some groups of individuals.
Despite these efforts, experts believe that vaccinating children is also “crucial” amid the fight against COVID-19. This comes as school-aged kids are to return to in-person schooling, while the Delta variant remains persistent.
Reports noted that vaccines for children against COVID-19 have yet to receive full authorisations from the U.S. health regulators. But, things may change in the next few weeks or days following the latest recommendations from FDA experts.
Pfizer gets a greenlight
On Tuesday, Pfizer received backing from the U.S. FDA’s advisory panel, recommending its vaccine shots to children between five and 11 years old. The advisers decided that the benefits of vaccinating children “outweigh any other health risks,” according to BBC.
The publication also said that clinical trials showed how safe and effective a paediatric dose of the Comirnaty vaccine is for this age group. Based on the data, experts found that one-third of the dose was “safe and 90 percent effective” for five to 11 years old.
If health regulators officially approve the jab, 15 million doses will reportedly roll out across the country. This would cover some 28 million school-aged children in the United States.
Official approval from the U.S. health regulators
It remains uncertain as to when the approval will materialize. But, reports said that it could begin as soon as next week.
Channel News Asia explained that, following the advisory panel’s recommendations, the FDA will subsequently make its official decision about the Pfizer vaccine for kids. The agency is “not obliged to follow” the advice, though it usually does.
Upon receiving an official greenlight from the FDA, an advisory panel to the U.S. CDC would meet to consider the recommendations. It is reportedly expected that the CDC will announce its stance on November 2.
Move toward the “endemic” phase
Amid all the talks about the COVID-19 vaccines for children, some parents and organisations argue that the jabs are “unnecessary.” They cite studies, showing kids are less likely to experience symptoms, according to CNBC.
But, committee members asserted that vaccinating younger groups would help the country to move toward the “endemic” phase of the COVID-19 crisis. Although there are still many unknowns when vaccinating children using low-dose Pfizer jabs, experts conceded that the benefits outweigh the risks.
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