Pfizer Vaccine Green Lit For Children 12 And Up
Eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be expanded to children between the ages of 12 and 15, according to a report Monday from the Associated Press.
The US Food and Drug Administration declared the vaccine safe for the expanded age group after testing was conducted on 2,000 children between 12 and 15 years old.
None of the children who were fully vaccinated became sick with COVID-19, and researchers discovered that younger teenagers developed higher antibody levels than young adults who were similarly inoculated. Side effects to the shot were similar to those in adults, including soreness at the injection site and flu-like symptoms.
The AP reported that states may begin administering the Pfizer vaccine to newly eligible children as early as Wednesday, when an announcement is expected.
Pfizer’s coronavirus inoculation has already been deemed safe for adults and children aged 16 and older.
Health experts believe the move will help stem the spread of coronavirus in schools and allow for the return of safe, in-class learning models and extracurricular activities that have been sorely missed over the past year.