Advisors to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unanimously voted for a low-dose COVID19 vaccine, created by Pfizer-BioNTech, for children from 5 to 11 years old in the United States. Currently, there are around 28 million children within this age group.
CDC advisors voted Pfizer vaccines for 5–11-year-olds
According to a report by the National Public Radio (NPR), if the suggestions and endorsed by the Rochelle Walenski, Director of the CDC, children within the age group of 5 to 11 years could be getting their first doses in the next few days.
The Pfizer vaccine for children will be 1/3rd the adult dose and the vaccination would be given in two doses, the second being 3 weeks apart from the first. The lower concentration of dose was opted to reduce the side effects whilst still enhancing stronger immunity, stated Pfizer.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) arranged the emergency use approval of the vaccine in 5- to 11-year-old children on 29th October 2021 (Friday). The FDA approved a 10-microgram dosage of Pfizer’s vaccine for this age group. The original jab given to those aged 12 years and older was 30-micrograms, according to reports by the Xinhua news agency.
On 1st November 2021 (Monday), Jeffrey Zients, White House COVID19 Response Coordinator, stated that the US government has acquired sufficient low-dose children’s vaccines for all children that belong to the 5- to 11-year-old age group.
The CDC’s most recent data portrayed that around 172 children under the 5- to 11-year-old age group have passed owing to the COVID19 disease and over 8,300 have been hospitalized to date.
Pfizer is scrutinizing vaccine jabs for babies and toddlers. The firm estimates to accumulate essential data by the completion of 2021. The closely related Moderna vaccine is also being examined to be administered to young children of the same age group. However, the FDA still hasn’t approved its use in teenagers, and the firm is postponing its relevance for younger children owing to the incomplete evaluation.
Some countries have started utilizing alternative COVID9 vaccines in children under the age of 12, including China, which commenced vaccinations for 3-year-olds. However, several utilize the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and are awaiting the decision of the USA. European regulators have just begun considering the firm’s children-friendly dosages.
