FDA could grant emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccination for kids 6 months to 5 years of age later this month

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could grant emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccination for the youngest kids later this month. Pfizer asked the agency to review data and authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years.

If the FDA committee recommends authorization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will still need to sign off on the vaccinations before they would go into the littlest of arms.  Once a COVID-19 vaccination is authorized for kids ages 6 months to 5 years, nearly everyone will be eligible for immunization.

Dr. Richard Kennedy, co-director of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group stated to KAUS News that even though younger children have tended to fare better with COVID-19, the reality is that some are still getting sick and even dying of the disease…

Besides protecting children, Dr. Kennedy stated that the vaccine may also reduce the amount of transmission and exposure in places like daycares and schools…

Dr. Kennedy went on to state that parents can be assured that when a vaccination is approved for the most vulnerable of populations, it will be safe…

Dr. Kennedy went on to note that stepwise approval follows sequential clinical trials. Once a vaccination is found to be safe in adults, Kennedy stated that the FDA allows trials in older children. Once safe in that population, clinical trials can begin in younger children.