FDA to Examine Whether to Authorize Pfizer COVID-19 Shot in Young Kids

Pfizer and BioNTech have filed for FDA authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine for inoculating children aged five to 11 years and the agency’s vaccine advisory panel will take up the matter at its previously scheduled meeting on Oct. 26 to consider the request.

The companies jointly announced via Twitter that they are seeking the extended Emergency Use Authorization, citing the need to stem ever-increasing COVID-19 infections among young children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children younger than 18 years have thus far comprised 16.2 percent of the total cases. But for the week ending Sept. 30, children made up 26.7 percent of reported weekly COVID-19 cases.