The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
The hotly anticipated decision will allow roughly 28 million American children to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, with shots rolling out just as flu season starts and with major holidays looming.
The FDA's action comes days after its independent vaccine advisory committee voted 17-0, with one abstention, to recommend use of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot in younger children. Panel members were swayed in part by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed children ages 5-11 are "at least as likely" as adults to contract the virus, and that hospitalization rates are three times higher among children of color than among while children.
The CDC's vaccine advisers are scheduled to meet Tuesday to evaluate the shot, and are expected to vote in favor of its use in 5- to 11-year-olds. The final step before the vaccine rolls out will be formal endorsement by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
Fonte: POLITICO
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