Pfizer released documents Friday indicating that it’s two-dose vaccine regiment is 91% effective at preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in children ages 5-11.
The Food and Drug Administration will evaluate Pfizer’s data early next week and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Nov. 2nd and 3rd to discuss authorizing the jab for children. The Washington Post reports, “The vaccination campaign is anticipated to launch as early as the first week of November.”
In a trial involving 2,268 participants, children were given two 10mg doses of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks apart. Although that’s a third of the dose given to teenagers and adults, it offered ample protection. Sixteen trial participants who were inoculated reported a breakthrough COVID-19 case, but their symptoms were mild. No severe side effects were discovered.
A placebo group experienced a higher rate of infection and more severe COVID-19 symptoms.
The Associated Press reports:
While children run a lower risk of severe illness or death than older people, COVID-19 has killed more than 630 Americans 18 and under, according to the CDC. Nearly 6.2 million children have been infected with the coronavirus, more than 1.1 million in the last six weeks as the delta mutant surged, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.