EMA Reviews Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5 to 11

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has begun assessing Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in children ages five to 11.

The vaccine, which was first authorized in the EU in December 2020, is currently cleared for people 12 years and older. The EMA’s human medicines committee is expected to reach a recommendation in a couple of months “unless supplementary information is needed,” the agency said.

In related news, the EMA has approved two Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing facilities in Italy, a Catalent plant in Anagni and a Patheon Italia facility in Monza. The two plants are expected to produce up to 85 million doses this year for distribution within the EU.