EU Drug Regulator Approves First COVID Shot for 5-11-Year-Olds
Voice of America
26 Nov 2021, 04:07 GMT+10
The European Union drug regulator Thursday approved the use of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of five and 11, opening the way for them to be given a first shot as the region battles surging infections.
The vaccine, which is called Comirnaty, will be given in two doses of 10 micrograms three weeks apart as an injection in the upper arm, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended. Adult doses contain 30 micrograms.
'The benefits of Comirnaty in children aged 5 to 11 outweigh the risks, particularly in those with conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19,' the EMA said.
The companies have said their vaccine showed 90.7% efficacy against the coronavirus in a clinical trial of children aged 5 to 11.
Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine has been approved for European Union use in teenagers between 12 and 17 years old since May. While final approval is up to the European Commission, it typically follows EMA recommendations.
It is not clear when countries may start rolling out the shots among younger children. Earlier this week, outgoing German health minister Jens Spahn said that EU-wide deliveries of the low-dose pediatric version would only begin on December 20.
The bloc joins a growing number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Israel, China and Saudi Arabia, which have cleared vaccines for children in the 5-11 year age group and younger.
Tens of millions of children in this age group will be eligible for the shot in the EU.
For pediatric shots, the U.S. regulator authorized a new version of the vaccine, which uses a new buffer and allows them to be stored in refrigerators for up to 10 weeks.
Subscribe and Follow
Get a daily dose of Poland Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
News RELEASES
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Poland Sun.
More Information
-1
℃
NATO chief: Countries should prepare for Russian incursion in Ukraine
RIGA, Latvia: Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has warned that the American-led military alliance should be ...
New German government says workers should expect 25% pay increase
BERLIN, Germany: Almost 2 million workers in Germany, Europe's largest economy, are set for a major pay increase, as part ...
After riots, labor strife France weighs semi-autonomy for Guadeloupe
PARIS, France: The French government is offering increased autonomy for the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, after COVID-19-related riots and long-running ...
Hesitant Europeans open Christmas markets with eye on Covid
FRANKFURT, Germany: A surge in new COVID-19 cases left an uneasy feeling hanging over Frankfurt's Christmas market, as well as ...
Turkish women gassed by police during women's rights demonstration
ISTANBUL, Turkey: Turkish police in Istanbul fired tear gas on women demanding the country's re-adoption of a landmark international treaty ...
Despite 89% vaccinated, Portugal reinstates some Covid restrictions
LISBON, Portugal: Portugal is reintroducing some pandemic restrictions, just two months after ending enforcement of them after the goal of ...
One-third sized Taj Mahal built by Indian as home for wife
NEW DELHI, India: An Indian man, Anand Prakash Chouksey, 52, has built a smaller replica of the famed 17th century ...
U.S. government writes off $2 billion in student loans
WASHINGTON D.C.: Earlier this month, the federal Education Department announced it is canceling another round of student loan payments, adding ...
Human Rights Watch: Taliban arrested, executed security forces
LONDON, England: The Taliban has executed dozens of members of the former government's security forces after the surrender of Afghanistan, ...
NATO chief: Countries should prepare for Russian incursion in Ukraine
RIGA, Latvia: Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has warned that the American-led military alliance should be ...
Families reunited after 2 years at Malaysia-Singapore land border
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia As buses of vaccinated Malaysians working in Singapore were ferried across the Causeway Bridge that connects the ...
Soldiers burn houses and barns, kill livestock in south of Kalay
SAGAING, Myanmar - According to the local residents, soldiers have torched roughly 20 houses and two barns in communities in ...
