The Director of the National Institutes of Health has indicated that a COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12 is unlikely to be available until late 2021. The approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 and older was a significant milestone, bringing relief to many families. However, despite earlier hopes for a swift rollout for younger children, recent updates suggest a longer wait.
The FDA has fully approved Pfizer’s vaccine for individuals aged 16 and older, while it remains under emergency use authorization for those aged 12-15. The key question is when children under 12 will have access to the vaccine. Dr. Samuel Jackson, the NIH director, mentioned in an NPR interview that Pfizer and Moderna are still conducting trials for this age group.
Older children and teenagers receive the same dosage as adults, but there’s uncertainty about the appropriate dose for children aged 5 to 11. Dr. Lisa Tran, director of the Pediatric Vaccine Research Center, noted to CNN that research indicates children in this age group may exhibit a robust immune response with just one-third of the adult dose. However, these studies are still ongoing.
Although the initial data looks promising, Dr. Jackson stated that if Pfizer submits its findings to the FDA by the end of September (which they expect to do, provided trials proceed as planned), actual approval may not occur until year’s end. “Honestly, I don’t anticipate approval for children aged 5 to 11 much before the end of 2021,” he remarked.
Dr. Emily Marks, who leads the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, confirmed that vaccine developers are still gathering data on efficacy and dosage strength. “The FDA will act quickly once the data is submitted, but trials must first be completed,” Marks explained. Furthermore, the FDA is requesting four to six months of follow-up safety data from children’s trials, compared to the two months required for adult trials.
Despite this delay, the American Academy of Pediatrics has urged the FDA to expedite the authorization process for vaccines for children under 12. As is often the case during the pandemic, we must continue to monitor developments day by day.
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Summary:
The availability of a COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12 is expected to be delayed until the end of 2021, according to health officials. While trials are ongoing and data shows promise for a reduced dosage, full approval will take time. Families are encouraged to stay informed about the developments.
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