Following Canada, the U.S. also gives the green light for vaccinations of children and adolescents with Biontech’s active ingredient. This is seen as an important step towards herd immunity. Vaccine approval for 12- to 15-year-olds may soon be granted in Europe as well.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved the Corona vaccine from German manufacturer Biontech and its U.S. partner Pfizer for children and adolescents aged 12 to 15. The existing emergency approval for people 16 and older has been adjusted and expanded accordingly, the FDA announced. Biontech and Pfizer had submitted a corresponding application to the FDA in early April. Nevertheless, the vaccination campaign is currently progressing more and more slowly – and that is not due to supply bottlenecks.
Major order from the EU supports Biontech stock
“This is a promising development in our fight against the virus,” said U.S. President Joe Biden. FDA chief Janet Woodcock spoke of an “important step” in the fight against the pandemic. “Today’s action allows a younger population to be protected from Covid-19, bringing us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy and ending the pandemic.” Parents and guardians can be assured that the agency has conducted a rigorous and thorough review of all available data, he said.
Previously, Canada was among the first countries in the world to also approve the vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also received a corresponding application, and the review could take until early or mid-June. In the EU, Biontech’s drug has so far only been approved for people aged 16 and older. The companies announced a few weeks ago that a clinical trial in the 12- to 15-year-old age group in the United States had shown 100 percent efficacy. The vaccine was also well tolerated. The side effects were similar to those in the 16 to 25 age group.
- source: hp/news agencies. picture: pixabay.com
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