The giant drug partners Pfizer (New York) and BioNTech (Germany) have requested the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), US to authorize the emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine for kids between 12 & 15 years of age. Earlier in December, an emergency clearance was given to the two-dose vaccine shot for kids above 16 years of age.
Both Pfizer & BioNTech are closely working with the regulators in other countries and the FDA to gain clearance for emergency use of their vaccine for kids aged from 12 to 15 years of age, as quickly as possible.
On 31st March, the companies showed the preliminary results of the vaccine testing in the respective age group and found it 100% safe and effective in blocking the virus/infection.
The common side-effects like swelling/pain at the site of injection, headache, fatigue, nausea, and fever were consistent in volunteers from 16 to 25 years of age.
Also, all the participants of the vaccine testing (12-15 years of age) will be monitored for two years to determine the lifespan of the vaccine’s effectiveness and for any safety issues.