FDA Advisers Back Pfizer Vaccine for Children Age 5 to 11

Experts advising the FDA recommended the agency authorize the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. 

The panel of vaccine experts voted 17 to 0 with one abstention, concluding the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks, the Wall Street Journal reports. 

The recommendation will likely lead to an expansion of the vaccination campaign to millions of young children. 

The FDA is expected to decide within the next few weeks whether to authorize the shot for young children, and shots are likely to be available by November. 

If the FDA approves, vaccine eligibility will expand to about 28 million additional children, who would receive two doses three weeks apart. Each dose would contain one-third of the amount used for adolescents and adults.