EU drug regulators have announced that they will expand the scope of licenses for the new coronavirus vaccine developed by major pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, and will allow it to be used by children aged 12 to 15 years.
EMA = European Medicines Agency announced on the 28th that it will extend the license for vaccines developed by Pfizer and others to children aged 12 to 15 years old, which was previously limited to those aged 16 and over.
According to the EMA, the effectiveness of the vaccine was examined in more than 2,200 children aged 12 to 15 years, and it was found to be effective in about 2,000 children.
There may be side reactions such as headaches, fever, muscle and joint pain after vaccination, but EMA says the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of these side reactions.
On the other hand, EMA is investigating the relationship with the vaccine in detail because there are very rare cases where myocarditis and pericarditis are confirmed after vaccination, mainly for people under 30 years old.
Regarding Pfizer's vaccine, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan has decided to add 12 to 15 years old to the age at which it can be inoculated, and in the United States, emergency use for children of this age is permitted.