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COVID-19 vaccines are finally on their way to more kids as U.S. regulators on Monday expanded the use of Pfizer’s shot to 12-year-olds in a race to protect middle and high school students before they go back to class in the fall.
The recordings could begin as soon as a federal advisory board on vaccines issues recommendations for the use of the two-dose vaccine in 12 to 15-year-olds, which are expected on Wednesday.
Vaccination of children of all ages is critical to returning to normal. Most of the COVID-19 vaccines launched worldwide are approved for adults. Pfizer’s vaccine is used in several countries for adolescents aged 16 and over. Canada recently became the first country to expand its use to 12 years and more. Parents, school administrators and public health officials are eagerly awaiting the shot to become available to more children.
« This is a turning point in our ability to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, » said Dr. Bill Gruber, senior vice president of Pfizer, who is also a pediatrician, told The Associated Press.
The Food and Drug Administration declared the Pfizer vaccine safe and provides strong protection for younger adolescents based on tests of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers ages 12-15. The study found no cases of COVID-19 in fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 dummy shots given in children. More interestingly, the researchers found that the children developed higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies than previous studies measured in young adults. The younger teenagers received the same dose of vaccine as adults and had the same side effects, mostly painful Poor and flu-like fever, chills or pain that signal a strengthened immune system, especially after the second dose.
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech recently applied for similar approval in the European Union, with other countries to follow.
The latest news is welcome for US families who are struggling to decide which activities can safely resume with only the youngest family members remaining unvaccinated.« I may not be entirely comfortable because of my youngsters are not vaccinated, « said Carrie Vittitoe, a substitute teacher and freelance worker e writer in Louisville, Kentucky who is fully vaccinated, along with her husband and 17-year-old daughter.
The FDA ruling means her 13-year-old son may be eligible soon, and only her 11-year-old son would not be vaccinated. The family hasn’t gone back to church yet, and the summer vacation will be a road trip so they won’t have to get on a plane.
« We can’t really go back to normal because two-fifths of our families have no protection » said Vittitoe.
Pfizer isn’t the only company trying to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Moderna recently said preliminary results of its study in 12-17 year olds showed strong protection and no serious side effects. Another US company, Novavax, has a late-stage COVID-19 vaccine and has just begun a study in 12 to 17 year olds.
The next step will be to test whether the vaccine will also be used in younger children suitable is. Both Pfizer and Moderna have started US studies in children aged 6 months to 11 years. These studies investigate whether babies, preschoolers, and elementary school children need different doses than adolescents and adults. Gruber said Pfizer expects its first results sometime this fall.
Outside of the US, AstraZeneca is studying its vaccine in 6- to 17-year-olds in the UK. In China, Sinovac recently announced that it has provided Chinese regulators with preliminary data showing that its vaccine is safe in children aged 3 and over.
Children are far less likely to develop COVID-19 than adults, but are from badly affected by the pandemic. They account for nearly 14% of the country’s coronavirus cases. According to a record by the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 296 have died of COVID-19 and more than 15,000 have been hospitalized in the United States alone.
This does not apply to the number of family members who get sick or die – or for the disruption of school, sports, and other activities that are critical to the general wellbeing of children.
« Children are fighting right now, » Gruber said. Also, « we need so many people in the country who have the potential to transmit the virus we want to protect. »
Experts say children need to get the shots if the country is to vaccinate 70% to 85% of the population that are necessary to achieve what is known as herd immunity.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that unvaccinated people – including children – should continue to take precautionary measures, e.g. B. wearing masks indoors and staying away from other unvaccinated people outside of their homes.
The Associated Press Department of Health and Science is supported by the Department of Science Education of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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