FDA to Authorize Pfizer's COVID Vaccine on 12-15-Year-Olds by Early Next Week
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to make the Pfizer COVID vaccine eligible for adolescents ages 12-15 years old by early next week. The movement of the agency will open up the vaccine queue and make the jab available for more Americans, The New York Times reported.
The move comes as the COVID cases in the United States show a sharp downward trend because more people are participating in the government's vaccination program. For the first time since October, the daily new cases of patients are down to 50,000, a 17 percent significant decrease from the previous week.
FDA to Authorize Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents
The FDA's approval was also highly anticipated ever since the vaccine was found safe, effective, and produced robust antibody response among 12-15-year-olds who participated in the vaccine trial, Reuters reported.
The New York Times noted that the clearance would be a major development in the vaccination campaign of the federal government.
"We can assure the public that we are working to review this request as quickly and transparently as possible," said FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Caccomo.
A press release about the result did not mention any concerning side effects among the adolescents. However, regulators will counter-check the data and make sure that there are no red flags before approving the shot for the 12-15 age gap, Mail Online reported.
Pfizer vaccine was authorized for people ages 16 and up in December. Since October last year, the pharmaceutical giant has been in trials for younger teens.
12-15 Eligible for Pfizer Vaccine
Mail Online noted that Pfizer's study of 2,260 volunteers also discovered that the vaccine also prevented almost 100 percent of severe illnesses and deaths related to the notorious disease. The outlet emphasized that the adolescents from the age group showed stronger immune responses than those from the 16-to-25-year-old demographic.
However, the authorization of the vaccine for the younger demographics raised concerns.
"I do think we need to have a national and global conversation about the ethics of our vaccinating kids who are low risk for serious complications from the virus," said epidemiologists Jennifer Nuzzo from John Hopkins Center for Health Security, adding that adults with high risk from dying have not enough vaccine.
The number of deaths among the age group was also a factor for raising concerns. Mail Online noted that about 471 children under 18 have died of COVID-19, which is 0.1 percent of the whole fatalities in the U.S.
As of writing, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 45,150 new cases of COVID in the United States in the past 24 hours. The disease is also accountable for the 765 new deaths in the same time frame. On the other hand, the country has administered a total of 241,639,173 as of April 29.
Apart from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are also testing their vaccines in 12-18-year-olds. Meanwhile, Moderna's clinical trial is expected soon.
WATCH: FDA authorization for Pfizer vaccine for children 12 to 15 expected soon - from ABC News
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