US urges Pfizer to apply for under-5 COVID shots

U.S. regulators are urging drug maker Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen of its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old. Early Pfizer data has shown the vaccine which is administered to younger kids at one-tenth the strength of the adult shot is safe and produces an immune response. The young children could be vaccinated more than a month earlier than previous estimates.

Zeke Miller,White House reporter of Associated Press said "From the beginning of COVID 19 through the present, kids are much less likely than adults to be infected and also to suffer serious side effects, serious illness and even potentially death. But it happens. It's very, very, very small percentage of cases," "So one of the things that vaccinating the youngest kids does is it makes it easier for them to stay in school or daycare if they are exposed to a close contact. It provides peace of mind."

Speeding the authorization of pediatric vaccines against COVID-19 has been a priority for more than a year to reopen and keep open schools and day care centers and for freeing up parents occupied by child care responsibilities to return to the workforce. Pfizer’s primary series is administered three weeks apart. The third dose for young kids is being studied for administration at least two months after the second dose.