Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine works very effectively in kids aged 12 to fifteen, the pharmaceutical large reported on Wednesday.
In a late-stage trial finding out greater than 2,200 adolescents within the US, not a single vaccinated particular person grew to become contaminated with COVID-19, Pfizer stated in a press launch. The outcomes recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine could also be much more efficient in 12- to 15-year-olds than it’s in adults.
Pfizer has not but launched the trial knowledge. The corporate plans to submit the outcomes to the FDA within the coming weeks, stated chief government Albert Bourla, “with the hope of beginning to vaccinate this age group earlier than the beginning of the subsequent college yr.”
If it wins emergency authorization, Pfizer’s vaccine would be the first in the US to be given out to kids youthful than 16. Public well being consultants believe that vaccinating kids can be essential towards attaining “herd immunity” — when so many individuals have immunity to COVID-19 that the virus is now not capable of unfold successfully. President Joe Biden has known as for immunizing highschool–age college students by the autumn within the US and elementary college ones early in 2022, if trial outcomes just like the one introduced by Pfizer present the vaccines are certainly secure and efficient amongst them.
Pfizer stated the trial confirmed the vaccine to be secure in 12- to 15-year-olds, with unwanted effects “usually per these noticed in individuals 16 to 25 years of age.”
Pfizer’s vaccine was first authorized for emergency use for folks 16 and older in December, and greater than 75 million doses have been given to Individuals since then. A clinical trial final fall discovered it was 95% efficient in lowering COVID-19 infections in adults; a current research confirmed comparable 90% effectiveness leads to the “real world” since its authorization.
Within the announcement, Pfizer additionally stated it has began vaccinating kids aged 5 to 11 in a associated international trial and can begin subsequent week giving it to a bunch of youngsters aged 2 to five.
