Pfizer Releases Information That the COVID-19 Vaccine Works in Kids Age 5-11

Big news coming in from Pfizer today that the COVID-19 vaccine works well for children ages 5-11.

According to NewsWest 9, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is close to being approved for children over age 5 because they are seeking U.S. authorization for the lower age group of children.

Pfizer tested a much lower dose, which is a third of the amount given to adults, and found kids produced the antibodies to fight off the coronavirus after the second dose that were as strong as those found in teens and young adults.

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The dosage for kids proved safe with the same minor side effects that teens experienced such as sore arms, fever, or achiness.

Dr. Bill Gruber, a Pfizer Senior Vice President, said they plan to apply to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use by the end of September 2021, and following that to apply with European and British regulators.

Kids are at a lower risk of severe illness, but with the Delta variant, more than 5 million children in the U.S. have tested positive since the pandemic began and almost 500 have died, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pfizer studied the lower dose in over 2,000 elementary and kindergarten aged children and the evidence shows younger children developed the antibodies just like found in teens and adults that also got vaccinated.

This is a promising development but the study is still ongoing since there haven't been enough COVID-19 cases in children younger than 12 so far to conduct a comprehensive study.