Pfizer says its COVID vaccine is safe and effective for kids ages 5-11

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be safe and effective in children aged 5 to 11, the drugmaker said Monday.

The vaccine, created by Pfizer and German partner BioNTech, generated a “robust” immune response in young children during clinical trials, according to the company.

Pfizer now plans to use the data from the clinical trial to seek authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration and other health regulators for the 5 to 11 age group “as soon as possible”.

The vaccine is already available for anyone 12 and older in the United States after being granted emergency use authorization.

Pfizer said the 2,268 children participating in the trial were given two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart and they had comparable antibody results to teens that were included in an earlier trial.

The young children were given a much lower dose — about a third of the amount that is used for teens and adults.

The side effects of the vaccine, including sore arms, fever or achiness, were generally comparable to those found in a trial of those aged 16 to 25 years.