EU Regulator Clears Pfizer’s Covid-19 Vaccine For Children Aged 5 To 11
Topline
The European Medicines Company (EMA) authorised using Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11 on Thursday, paving the best way for international locations to increase entry to the shot because the bloc struggles to include a brand new wave of infections.
EMA licensed the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to be used in youngsters 5-11
POOL/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Key Info
The company, which has already cleared the shot to be used in older kids, said the advantages of vaccination in younger kids outweigh the dangers, “notably in these with situations that enhance the chance of extreme Covid-19.”
The photographs—one third the power of these meant for individuals ages 12 and up and given three weeks aside—had been round 90% efficient at stopping symptomatic Covid-19, the company mentioned, in line with a research involving almost 2,000 kids.
Unwanted side effects had been “normally delicate or reasonable” and in step with these aged 12 and up, the company mentioned, with the most typical together with injection web site ache, chills and headache.
What To Watch For
The EMA’s suggestion should be authorised by the European Fee. A choice is prone to come on Friday, according to Reuters, citing an EU supply.
Essential Quote
Stella Kyriakides, the EU well being commissioner, said the EMA’s suggestion “is obvious the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine is secure and efficient for younger kids, and may supply them extra safety.”
Key Background
The EU joins an growing variety of international locations clearing Covid-19 vaccines to be used in younger kids. U.S. regulators authorised and really useful the shot in late October and early November. Whereas younger kids have a a lot decrease probability of growing extreme sickness or dying from Covid-19, they can and do develop life threatening sickness and die from Covid-19, in addition to develop lingering, long-term signs after an infection. The choice of rich international locations to vaccinate younger, low-risk kids forward of donating doses to vaccinate higher-risk teams in poorer international locations initially rankled teams just like the World Well being Group, however the physique modified its stance Wednesday, providing limited help for the observe underneath sure circumstances. Vaccinating kids might, for instance, scale back transmission to different higher-risk teams. Nonetheless, the worldwide sharing of vaccines ought to nonetheless come first, the WHO burdened.
Additional Studying
Youngsters Ages 5-11 Are Now Eligible For Covid Vaccines—However Polls Recommend Many Mother and father Gained’t Let Their Baby Get The Shot (Forbes)
FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Authorizing Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine For Youngsters Ages 5 To 11 (Forbes)
‘Firmly In The Grip Of The Covid-19 Pandemic’: WHO Warns European Virus Deaths Will Cross 2.2 Million By March (Forbes)
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