Anti-COVID vaccine for children under 5 may be ready sooner than thought.
As the Washington Post reports, this vaccine could begin to be used in late February, through a plan that could lead to a potential authorization for the two-dose vaccine within the next few weeks.
Pfizer and BioNTech, the makers of the Pfizer vaccine, are reportedly working to apply to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization for the vaccine, which can be given to children ages 6 months to at 5 years old.
This would make this the first anti-COVID vaccine for this age group, while children over the age of 5 can already receive this vaccine.
The FDA asked the companies to submit the application so regulators could begin reviewing the duplicate data.
The companies in recent months have been testing a third dose, after disappointing results for the two-shot regimen showed that while the vaccine is safe, two doses did not elicit a strong immune response in all age groups. But data on a third dose won't be available until at least the end of March. Once that information is submitted, regulators are expected to authorize a third dose of the pediatric vaccine.
also
Pfizer applies in the US for authorization of the vaccine for children under 5 years old
A Biden administration official has said there is consensus among health officials to "see this move forward," referring to Pfizer-BioNTech's plan to file an application.
Last Friday, Pfizer presented updated trial data to federal health officials about the doses, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic.
