Pfizer is seeking clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to use its coronavirus vaccine in kids age 12-15, the company announced Friday.
Pending the decision from the FDA to expand Pfizer’s current emergency use authorization that is for people age 16 and up, the vaccine could become available to the younger age group before the start of the 2021 school year, according to the company.
BREAKING: Today, with @BioNTech_Group, we submitted a request to US FDA to expand emergency use of our COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. pic.twitter.com/DlvZBIjYAC
— Pfizer Inc. (@pfizer_news) April 9, 2021
The request to expand use of the vaccine to younger kids is based on data from a phase 3 trial in teens 12 to 15 years old, which showed 100% percent efficacy and robust antibody response after vaccination.
“These submissions represent a critical step in Pfizer’s and BioNTech’s ongoing efforts to support governments in broadening global vaccination effort,” Pfizer and BioNTech said in a joint announcement.
The companies said they plan to request similar rulings by other regulatory authorities worldwide in coming days.
Public health experts have said that vaccinating children against coronavirus is a crucial step in gaining herd immunity and fully reopening schools.
Moderna has also launched trials of its coronavirus vaccine in teens and children, which has the potential of providing yet another vaccination option for youth.