The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
According to a release from the agency, the vaccine was 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 among those in the age group, which showed a comparable immune response to those ages 16 to 25.
The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children ages 5 to 11 and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study, the FDA’s release stated. The shot is administered as a two-shot primary series, given three weeks apart. It’s a third of the dose given to individuals 12 and older.
“As a mother and a physician, I know that parents, caregivers, school staff, and children have been waiting for today’s authorization. Vaccinating younger children against COVID-19 will bring us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock. “Our comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the data pertaining to the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness should help assure parents and guardians that this vaccine meets our high standards.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to vote on whether the vaccine should be recommended to all children within the age group or only certain subgroups on Nov. 2. Then, it will be up to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to endorse the vaccine before the shot will be available to eligible children. It’s expected that eligible children will be able to start receiving the vaccine sometime next week.
In the U.S., COVID-19 cases in children who are 5 to 11 make up 39% of cases in individuals younger than 18 years of age. Approximately 8,300 COVID-19 cases in children 5 to 11 resulted in hospitalization, according to the CDC. As of Oct. 17, 691 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S. in individuals less than 18 years of age, with 146 deaths in the 5 through 11 years age group.
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
