The US Authorized Pfizer-BioNTech’s Vaccine for 12- to 15

In a vital development, US regulators (FDA) on May 10 authorised and expanded the emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in early teenagers (aged 12-15) for the prevention of the COVID-19 infection. The move has been made with a motive to keep all the nation’s adolescents safe and sound before they head back to school in the fall.

US President Joe Biden said, “The light at the end of the tunnel is growing, and today it got a little brighter. If you are a parent who wants to protect your child or a teenager who is interested in getting vaccinated, today’s decision is a step closer to that goal”. The vaccination drive will commence on May 13. Until then the federal vaccine advisory committee would likely issue recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds. 

Before the US, Canada is the first to expand Pfizer use to 12 years and above age group. Pfizer is declared completely safe by the Food and Drug Administration. They also tested on more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15. Researchers also found the higher-level development of virus-fighting antibodies in kids than earlier studies measured in young adults. Pfizer’s testing in adolescents “met our rigorous standards,” FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said.

“Having a vaccine authorized for a younger population is a critical step in continuing to lessen the immense public health burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” The nation has another local company, Novavax, in the queue. Novavax is in late-stage development and just began a study in 12 to 17 age group. It is also testing whether the vaccine works for children below 11 years. In fact, both Pfizer and Moderna have begun studies in ages 6 months to 11 years and would come to a decision on dosages required for each age group.