Pfizer 5-11 years old will be expanded to vaccination target soon

Pfizer, a major American pharmaceutical company, and Biontech, a German company, have confirmed that vaccination has increased neutralizing antibodies and the safety of children aged 5 to 11 years, who are no longer eligible for the new coronavirus vaccine. As a result, it has announced that it will soon apply to the FDA = Food and Drug Administration in the United States to extend the vaccination coverage to children in this age group.

Vaccines developed by Pfizer and others are currently licensed for emergency use for children over 12 years of age, but clinical trials are underway to make them available to children under 12 years of age.

Pfizer and others announced on the 20th that as a result of clinical trials on more than 2,200 people aged 5 to 11 years old, an increase in neutralizing antibodies and safety were confirmed.

According to this, in clinical trials, the amount of components of the vaccine was reduced, and 10 micrograms, which is one-third of the usual amount, was inoculated twice at 21-day intervals, resulting in one month after the second inoculation. Neutralizing antibody levels increased to the same extent as seen in the 16-25 year old group.

The side reactions were also similar to those seen in clinical trials involving 16 to 25 years old.

Pfizer has submitted these data to the US FDA and will soon apply to extend coverage to children aged 5 to 11 years.

It also shares data with regulatory agencies in each country, including the EU = European Union.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the number of children infected with the new coronavirus in the United States during the week leading up to the 9th of this month remains at least 243,000, the highest level ever.

In addition, according to the CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data has been reported that the number of children hospitalized is increasing due to the spread of the mutant virus Delta strain.

With the resumption of face-to-face lessons in schools in many areas, the challenge is how to protect children under the age of vaccination from infection.