Pfizer Says Lower Dose of Its COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Younger Children

FRIDAY, Oct. 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- A lower dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is 90.7 percent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in children aged 5 to 11 years, according to new clinical trial data from the company.

The data were given to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday, and the agency is expected to release its own analysis of the trial findings later in the day, The New York Times reported. Next week, an FDA advisory panel will meet to discuss whether to recommend FDA authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years. It is already available for those 12 years and older.

The dose used in the trial that included more than 2,200 children was 10 mcg, while the adult dose is 30 mcg. Twice as many study participants received the vaccine as a placebo, The Times reported. COVID-19 was diagnosed in three children who received the vaccine and 16 of those who received the placebo, indicating it was more than 90 percent effective. The dosage was safe, and there were only mild side effects, according to Pfizer.

FDA authorization of the vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years could help protect more than 28 million people in the United States, according to The Times. If the FDA does give the green light to the vaccine for that age group, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would then recommend how the shots should be administered.

The New York Times Article