WASHINGTON, 21 Sept 2021:
Pfizer and BioNTech pharmaceutical firms yesterday announced latest clinical trials of their Covid-19 vaccine in children ages 5-11 have shown it generates a “robust” antibody response and is safe – a finding that brings the possibility of making the vaccine available for children by the end of October one step closer.
The clinical trials were performed on 2,268 participants between the ages of 5 and 11, all of whom received two doses of the vaccine with three weeks in between the two shots.
The doses used were of 10 micrograms instead of the 30 micrograms used in the vaccine for people over age 12.
According to Pfizer, the vaccine is “safe, well-tolerated, and showed robust neutralising antibody responses” after the second dose, and it showed side effects comparable to those seen in people ages 16-25.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement the clinical trial results “provide a strong foundation for seeking authorisation of our vaccine for children,” adding that the firm will now send the data to the US Food and Drug Administration “with urgency.”
“Since July, paediatric cases of Covid-19 have risen by about 240% in the US – underscoring the public health need for vaccination,” Bourla said in the news release.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been formally approved by US health authorities for people 16 and over, and it has been given emergency use authorisation for teens between the ages of 12 and 15.
If the review process for the vaccine can be completed with no delays, the vaccine for kids 5-11 could be available for use by the end of October. – EFE