Pfizer vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 moves one step closer in US
A panel of US health advisors have voted to authorize the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for young children.
In an unanimous vote to OK the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said the data shows that the vaccine’s benefits in preventing Covid-19 outweighed any potential harm.
While younger people are at lower risk of severe Covid-19, a substantial group of 5 to 11-year-olds have become very ill with the virus, including over 8,300 hospitalizations and nearly 100 deaths, the AP reported.
The move will also allow for additional safety for parents who may be at a higher risk of severe Covid-19.
The FDA isn’t bound by the panel’s recommendation and is expected to make its own decision within the next few days. If the FDA authorizes the kid-size doses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will then have to decide whether to recommend the shots.
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