Pfizer Expected To Ask FDA To Authorize Its COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids Under 5
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Children younger than 5 could soon become the next group to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA to authorize the vaccine for this age group as soon as Tuesday. If the FDA approves the vaccine, it may be available by the end of February.
Beth Thompson, who has a 5-year-old and 3-month-old, said this could be a step in the right direction.
"It's never an easy thought to think about exposing your kid to a virus that's impacted so many people," said Thompson.
That's why the mother of two is excited for when the vaccine could reach an even younger age group.
"We were able to complete the second round of the vaccine for my son, and we definitely think that's helping offer protection to him at daycare. Soon, she will be going to daycare, and I would love to have that protection for her," said Thompson.
Pfizer is expected to seek emergency-use authorization for a two-dose vaccine that's a tenth of the amount of the adult doses.
"I really think a lot is going to have to come down to the data that comes out of it as far as the safety protocol goes, and the viral loads that are happening in our communities," said Dr. Joseph Aracri, AHN's pediatrics assistant chair.
Aracri said health leaders need to learn more about the vaccine and its pros and cons for this population.
"We know that the hospitalization rate for these children is not that high," said Dr. Aracri. "We know the vaccine really doesn't work that well against the Omicron virus. We need to take all these things into consideration, knowing that Delta is still out there and it won't protect against Delta."
Aracri said they've seen a significant decrease in the number of child COVID cases over the past week in their offices. He believes the vaccine could make a difference depending on the data.
"When the vaccine becomes ready, you have an honest discussion with your physician or primary care provider as far as the risk and benefits for your child," said Dr. Aracri. "I think that's the only way we can navigate the waters of the uncertainty."
"You can only hope to trust the science and with what we've seen so far with my own vaccination and with my son, we want to rely on the health of them and keeping our fingers crossed," said Thompson. "Hopefully, it will be a game-changer."
Pfizer's vaccine trials did produce an adequate immune response in kids ages 6 months to 2 years with two shots. But kids ages 2 to 5 didn't produce as many antibodies as researchers would have liked, so they're testing the possibility of a third shot for them.
