Pfizer asks US to approve coronavirus vaccine for children aged 5 to 11
- White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients said the shots for kids could begin by November
- Children currently make up about 27 per cent of all US coronavirus cases
The US Food and Drug Administration has set a date of October 26 for its panel of outside advisers to meet and discuss the application, making it possible for kids to begin receiving the vaccines soon afterwards.
A rapid authorisation of the vaccine in young kids could help mitigate a potential surge of cases this fall, with schools already open nationwide.
The vaccine could be ready for roll-out as early as November pending approval from federal regulatory health agencies, White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients said on Thursday.
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Once the authorisation is complete, Zients said: “We are ready. We have the supply. We’re working with states to set up convenient locations for parents and kids to get vaccinated including paediatricians’ offices and community sites.”