Pfizer Is Awaiting More Data To See Whether Their Vaccine Is Ready To Offer To Kids As Young As 4
Parents who are eager to give their kids under five years of age the coronavirus vaccine (yes, they're out there) are going to have to wait. Pfizer has postponed its rolling application to the FDA that would allow them to administer the vaccine to kids under the age of five.
On February 11, Pfizer confirmed that they are going to gather more data on a three-dose vaccine for children between the ages of six months and four years old. There was a trial done of a two-dose vaccine, but apparently it didn't result in a strong enough immune response for them to feel comfortable introducing it to the public.
Pfizer Is Running More Tests on the Three-Dose Vaccine
Dr. Peter Marks, the director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said they are going to look at the data of three vaccine doses for young children before considering authorization. He said that the FDA takes its "responsibility for reviewing these vaccines very seriously because we're parents as well."
Additionally, Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer, told CNBC that the FDA will very likely authorize this three-dose vaccine for children under five. In fact, he says the chances are "very high."
The FDA can expect that the data will be available sometime in April, and from here they will decide if the vaccine provides an acceptable immune response.
The FDA and CDC both authorized the use of the coronavirus vaccine for children between the ages of 5-11. The only series that is approved is from Pfizer.
For now, the ball is in Pfizer's court. As soon as they have enough data to present to the FDA, we can expect the series of shots will be released to the public.