(Washington, DC) — The FDA is greenlighting Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 boosters for younger children. It’s granting emergency use authorization for kids ages five to 11 years old no sooner than five months after they’ve completed their primary vaccine series.
Pfizer requested the EAU last month, citing company data showing that a third COVID shot boosts antibodies in this younger age group. Studies by the CDC and the New York State Department of Health found that the effectiveness of the two dose regimen for children ages five to 11 dropped from 68% to 12% during the Omicron surge. However, two doses continued to protect against more severe illness.
