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Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has applied for FDA approval to extend the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to children and adolescents aged 12 to 15. This request aims to amend the emergency use authorization initially granted for individuals aged 16 and older last year.
This move comes in response to rising COVID-19 cases among younger populations, which are contributing to outbreaks in various states, as reported by NBC News. Pfizer revealed that recent clinical trials demonstrated the vaccine is both safe and 100 percent effective for the 12- to 15-year-old age group, although these findings have not yet undergone peer review. The side effects experienced by teens were largely similar to those observed in adults, including sore arms, fatigue, and headaches. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla expressed optimism about vaccinating this demographic before the upcoming school year, emphasizing the urgency to broaden vaccine access for younger individuals.
Additionally, Pfizer is investigating the vaccine’s efficacy in children aged 6 months to 11 years, with initial doses administered in March. Bourla stated, “We share the urgency to expand the authorization of our vaccine to use in younger populations and are encouraged by the clinical trial data from adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15.”
Notably, teens in the clinical trial who received the vaccine exhibited neutralizing antibody levels comparable to those seen in older adolescents and young adults who were vaccinated. The Phase 3 trials for adults showed about 95 percent efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with a slight decrease to around 90 percent in real-world scenarios as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Sarah Johnson, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Nashville Health Center, remarked, “Vaccinating our teenagers is the next step in seeing our way through the pandemic.” She added that expanding vaccination eligibility will help protect vulnerable populations, including older adults and teenagers with underlying health conditions. As efforts to immunize adults continue, vaccinating children is crucial for achieving herd immunity, making any advancements in this area a significant victory.
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Summary:
Pfizer has submitted a request to the FDA to expand the emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 to 15, citing recent clinical trials showing its safety and efficacy. As COVID-19 cases rise among younger populations, the urgency for vaccination increases, with hopes to protect vulnerable communities and achieve herd immunity.