Pfizer, BioNTech Seeking Approval for Covid-19 Booster in Children Ages 5-11

Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted an application to the FDA for Emergency use Authorization of a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11. The companies said that a third vaccine dose raised Omicron-fighting antibodies by 36 times in the age group. Studies from the New York State Department of Health and the CDC found that the effectiveness of Pfizer’s vaccine for children ages 5 to 12 dropped during the Omicron surge and fell from 68% to 12% against Covid-19 infection. However, two doses continued to provide protection against severe illness resulting in urgent care or hospital stays. Currently, more than 10,000 children between the ages of 6 years and 12 years are enrolled in Pfizer Covid-19 trials at sites around the world and the companies expect to submit data from those trials focused on children younger than 5 in the coming months. The age group is the only one that a Covid-19 vaccine has not been authorized for.