EU Clears Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine for Use in Young Children

The European Union's drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has authorized Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged 5 to 11, paving the way for shots to be administered to millions of elementary school pupils amid a new wave of infections sweeping across the continent. This is the first time a COVID-19 vaccine has been cleared for use in young children in the EU. The decision follows a study of the vaccine in over 2,000 children, which found that the vaccine was about 90% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in young children. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, headaches, muscle pain, and chills.

Key Takeaways:

• The EMA has recommended granting an extension of indication for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 5 to 11.
• Pfizer tested a dose that is a third of the amount given to adults for elementary school-age children, which still resulted in children developing coronavirus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as teenagers and young adults getting the regular-strength shots.
• The two-dose regimen should be given to children three weeks apart, with the authorization of the EU's executive branch, the European Commission, needed before health authorities in member states can begin administering shots.
• At least one country, Austria, has already begun vaccinating the 5 to 11 age group.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe could see deaths top 2 million by the spring unless urgent measures are taken.
• The EMA is also evaluating the use of Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 to 11, with a decision expected within two months.
• Public health experts disagree on how much kids have influenced the course of the pandemic, but some argue that immunizing them should be a priority to reduce the virus' continued spread.
• The WHO has appealed to rich countries to stop immunizing children and asked them to donate their doses immediately to poor countries who have yet to give a first vaccine dose to their health workers and vulnerable populations.

Statistics:

• The vaccine was about 90% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in young children.
• The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, headaches, muscle pain, and chills.
• The World Health Organization has warned that Europe could see deaths top 2 million by the spring.
• Pfizer tested a dose that is a third of the amount given to adults for elementary school-age children.
• The EMA evaluated the use of the vaccine in over 2,000 children.

Sources:

• European Medicines Agency (EMA)
• Pfizer
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Associated Press
• Yerepouni Daily News
• Syndigate Media Inc.