FDA appears poised to authorize Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for adolescents by next week

The Food and Drug Administration is expected by next week to grant expanded emergency use authorization to allow children as young as 12 to receive the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and German firm BioNTech, according to three federal officials familiar with the situation.

The agency is still working on the authorization, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely. Shortly after the FDA decision, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is expected to meet to recommend how the vaccine should be used.

The New York Times first reported that the regulatory action was pending.

Families and pediatricians have been eager for a vaccine to become available for children, particularly in advance of the next school year.