U.S. FDA opens way to COVID vaccines for kids under 5, CDC up next

International

17-06-2022, 21:10

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized two COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 and under, opening the door to vaccinating millions of the country's youngest children once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees.

The FDA authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's (PFE.N), COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years and Moderna Inc's (MRNA.O) shot for those 6 months to 17 years. Pfizer's is already authorized for those over the age of 5.

The vaccines could be rolled out to the under-5 age groups as early as next week, White House officials have said. The CDC needs to make its recommendations on how the shots should be administered before the vaccination campaign can begin in earnest.

A panel of outside advisers began meeting on Friday to consider a recommendation to the CDC on the shots for those under five years old and will vote on Saturday, likely followed by the CDC itself green lighting the recommendation.

While many parents in the United States are eager to vaccinate their children, it is unclear how strong demand will be for the shots. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was authorized for children aged 5 to 11 in October, but only about 29% of that group is so far fully vaccinated, federal data shows.

COVID-19 is generally more mild in children. Still, since March 2020 it has been the fifth leading cause of deaths in children aged 1-4 and the fourth leading cause of death in children younger than one, according to the CDC.

"Although the number of deaths in children is small by adult standards, any death of a child is tragic, and should be prevented if possible," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said at a press conference on Friday. "By vaccinating our youngest children, we hope to prevent the most devastating consequences of COVID."

Source-REUTERS