Topline
The U.S. government purchased 50 million additional doses of Pfizer pediatric Covid-19 vaccine from BioNTechs, the companies announced Thursday. This comes as regulators prepare to approve the shot for use with children as young as five years old.
The U.S. government bought 50 million additional doses of Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine. This is being... [+] being evaluated for use in children under five years old. AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
According to the companies, the additional doses will help the government prepare for widespread vaccination of children under five years old. BioNTech and Pfizer anticipate delivering the doses by April 2022. The shots are one-third the strength of the ones for adults aged 12 and over and are intended for children aged 5-11 years. This is in accordance with the 600 million dose purchase agreement the U.S. government made with Pfizer, BioNTech and BioNTech shortly after the outbreak. The vaccine is being cleared by the U.S. authorities for use in children younger than 12 years old, according to trial data.
Important Background
Although teenagers and children have a lower risk of getting severe illness or death from Covid-19 than adults, they can still develop life-threatening illnesses and even die from it. The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously in favor of the approval of the vaccine for children. 17 members endorsed it, and one abstained. This cleared the way for the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to approve the shot. The White House claims it is ready to distribute vaccines once the shot is approved, which is expected to happen around early November.
Big Number
28 million. According to the White House, that's the number of children who will be eligible to receive the Covid-19 shot for children aged five to 11. Officials stated that the U.S. had sufficient supplies to support the vaccination of this group before the addition of purchases. The vaccine will be given with smaller needles, making it more accessible for children.
Tangent
Moderna announced Monday that it will submit data about its pediatric vaccine to regulator agencies following a clinical trial in which it generated strong immunity responses in children six years old and older.
Continue reading
Here's How the White House Will Distribute Childrens Covid Vaccines. (Forbes).
FDA Advisory Committee Authorizes Pfizers Covid Vaccine for Kids Ages 5-11 (Forbes).
What could COVID vaccines for children be for the pandemic (Nature).
Moderna claims that its Covid Shot generates strong immune response in children aged 6-11 years (Forbes).
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