Pfizer Has Good News For Parents
At long last, after over a year of hoping and waiting for a Covid-19 vaccine for kids under age 12, finally Pfizer has good news for parents. The drugmaker has announced its immunization is safe and potent for children between the ages of 5 and 11, according to CNBC.
Now, it's simply a matter of Pfizer submitting its findings to the FDA so the two-dose shots can be administered to little ones, who are already back in school amid soaring cases of Covid (via US News & World Report).
So what did the company discover during trials of the Covid-19 vaccine for kids? Importantly, the dosing was adjusted appropriately — CNBC notes kids under 12 will receive 10 micrograms, or about one third of the adult dose.
Most importantly perhaps, is that as NPR reports, the vaccine produces a strong immune response among some of the most vulnerable Americans.
Of course, the natural question is: When will kids be able to receive their first shot?
Vaccines aren't quite ready to go into little arms yet
With NPR reporting the shots, which are to be administered three weeks apart, do not produce any more severe side effects than among older populations, parents are eager to learn when their kids can start getting vaccinated.
An accompanying announcement from Albert Bourla, the chairman and CEO for Pfizer, adds to the sense that kids need to get immunized ASAP: "Since July, pediatric cases of COVID-19 have risen by about 240 percent in the U.S. — underscoring the public health need for vaccination. These trial results provide a strong foundation for seeking authorization of our vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old, and we plan to submit them to the FDA and other regulators with urgency."
NBC News confirms the first step will be Pfizer seeking the authorization from the FDA. The New York Times notes the FDA will then analyze the data. Then presumably, kids will be able to get vaccinated, with Dr. Anthony Fauci simply estimating on Sunday that the fall is when the shots will be in little arms (via Yahoo!).