Pfizer announced Wednesday that the COVID-19 vaccine it developed with BioNTech is safe and highly protective in children over 12 years of age, a step toward possible immunization of this age group prior to their return to school in autumn.
Most of the coronavirus vaccines that are being rolled out around the world are for adults, who are at increased risk of contracting the disease. Pfizer-BioNTech’s is licensed for ages 16 and over. But immunizing children of all ages will be crucial to curbing the pandemic and helping schools, at least in the upper grades, to regain some normality after months of disruption.
In a study carried out in the United States with 2,260 volunteers between the ages of 12 and 15, preliminary data show that among adolescents who received the two doses of the vaccine, there were no positives for COVID-19, compared to 18 cases registered among those who received the placebo, reported the pharmacist.
It’s a small study, yet to be published, so another important piece of evidence is looking at how vaccines boosted children’s immune systems. The researchers reported high levels of antibodies to fight the virus, somewhat higher than those seen in tests with young adults.
Side effects are similar between the two age groups, the pharmacist said. The main ones are pain, fever, chills and tiredness, especially after receiving the second dose. The study will continue to monitor the participants for two years to learn more about their long-term safety and security.
In the coming weeks, Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech plan to ask the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union regulators to approve the emergency use of their vaccine for from 12 years.
“We share the urgency of expanding the use of our vaccine,” said the CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, in a statement in which he expressed “the hope of starting the vaccination of this age group before the start of the next school year.” in United States.
Pfizer is not the only pharmacist looking to lower the age cutoff for its vaccine. Moderna is expected to soon reveal the results of the study it is conducting in the United States with children between the ages of 12 and 17.
But in an indication that the findings are promising, the FDA has already allowed both companies to begin their studies in the country with children 11 years or younger, up to 6 months.
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The AP Department of Health and Science receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. AP is solely responsible for all content.
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