Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children 5-11, U.S. FDA says – National

The FDA has given emergency authorization for using the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in kids aged 5 to 11 years outdated, setting the stage for a mass vaccination marketing campaign for younger kids throughout america.

The Pfizer pediatric vaccine is simply one-third of the energy of the dosage given to adults and teenagers.

The FDA’s authorization comes shortly after its skilled panel unanimously advisable approval of the vaccine for this age group, saying the potential advantages outweighed any dangers of unwanted side effects, together with a uncommon coronary heart complication often known as myocarditis that has been reported in some teenagers and younger adults who acquired a stronger dose.

Pfizer’s information discovered that the kids’s vaccine had 91-per cent efficacy towards symptomatic an infection, with comparatively few and minor unwanted side effects like a sore arm.

Well being Canada remains to be analyzing whether or not to approve Pfizer’s utility for its pediatric vaccine for Canadian kids.

Even with this FDA approval, there may be nonetheless yet one more step earlier than vaccines are given to younger kids within the U.S. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) nonetheless must determine whether or not to advocate the vaccine and which kids ought to obtain it.

States are on the point of roll out the vaccine that can are available in particular orange-capped vials to keep away from dosage mix-ups with the full-strength grownup model. Greater than 25,000 pediatricians and different main care suppliers have signed up to this point to supply vaccination, which can even be obtainable at pharmacies and different areas.

— with information from the Related Press

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