Pfizer, BioNTech seek COVID-19 vaccine approval for children 5 to 11 By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Pfizer Inc and BioNTech have requested U.S. regulators to approve emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11, Pfizer (NYSE:) mentioned in a tweet on Thursday.

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration has set a date of Oct. 26 for its panel of outdoor advisers to satisfy and talk about the appliance, making it potential for youths to start receiving the vaccines shortly afterwards.

A fast authorization of the vaccine in younger children may assist mitigate a possible surge of instances this fall, with faculties already open nationwide.

The vaccine could possibly be prepared for roll out as early as November pending approval from federal regulatory well being businesses, White Home COVID-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients mentioned on Thursday.

Youngsters at present make up about 27% of all U.S. coronavirus instances and an rising proportion of hospitalizations, in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics. That displays the excessive contagiousness of the Delta variant amongst unvaccinated folks.

Whereas children are much less prone to extreme COVID-19, they will unfold the virus to others, together with susceptible populations which are extra susceptible to extreme sickness.

The vaccine is already licensed in teenagers aged 12-to-15 and totally authorized for ages 16 and up, and has been proven to induce a powerful immune response within the goal age group in a 2,268 participant scientific trial, the businesses mentioned on Sept. 20.

The 2 drugmakers are additionally testing the vaccine in youngsters ages 2-to-5 years and youngsters ages 6 months-to-2 years, with information anticipated within the fourth quarter.