FDA weighs whether to authorize Pfizer vaccine for 12-to-15-year-olds
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to authorize Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for 12-to-15-year-olds by early next week, according to a federal official work who spoke anonymously.
The FDA has already applied for emergency use authorization for the age group.
The anonymous official added that they expect the company to approve Pfizer for children even younger by sometime this fall. Pfizer’s vaccine is currently authorized for use in people 16 and older.
The company released results from a study of more than 2,000 volunteers between 12 and 15 years old by the end of March.
Director of Vaccine Research Center of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Dr. Robert Frenck Jr. said vaccinating this group of young Americans is crucial.
“If we don’t immunize that group, that’s going to leave a big part of the population that’s susceptible to the virus and be able to continue on the pandemic,” said Frenck.
Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected by the middle of this year from a U.S. study of Moderna’s vaccine in 12- to-17-year-olds.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reported children represented 22.4% of new cases reported in the past week.