Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is continuing to make efforts toward protecting young children from COVID-19 infection. The company has recently announced that three shots of its vaccines could offer ample protection for those under five.
Pfizer intends to submit its results to regulators.
Modern Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA) has developed a vaccine for children under five
Meanwhile, the U.S Food and Drug Administration is investigating Moderna Inc’s (NASDAQ: MRNA) applications to offer two shots to protect children from infection. The news by Pfizer and Moderna is excellent for parents who have wanted a solution for their babies.
Furthermore, conditions in the U.S have been rising again. Children under five are still the only group in the population that is not eligible to get the vaccine making many parents anxious.
Pfizer’s solution was to give the children a tenth of the dose it gave adults. However, the company discovered during trials that this was not enough to generate a robust immune response. When two shots still didn’t work, the researchers added a third which was successful.
The researchers were able to meet the FDA requirement for emergency use. Moreover, there were no adverse effects of the vaccine administration. However, this isn’t the end of Pfizer’s research. The company still needs to do more to ensure the vaccine is completely effective. For now, the trend has generated positive reactions from parents.
The company has received authorisation for a booster dose
The FDA has also given Emergency Use Authorization to BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX) and Pfizer for a booster dose of their COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 5 and 11. This dose is given five months after the children receive their primary dose. The primary series has two shots. So far, over 8 million children of this age group have completed the first series.
The decision came after the companies released results from their Phase II/III clinical trials that showed the booster’s safety and efficacy in children aged 5 to 11. The booster generated neutralising antibodies against the virus, especially the omicron strain. It even worked in cases where the patient has a history of COVID-19 infection.
The companies have also submitted requests for approval to the European Medicines Agency. They also plan to submit applications to other regulators globally.
