Next week brings a marathon of hearings as the U.S. decides whether to open COVID-19 vaccinations to kids under 5
will have to convince what's essentially a science court -- advisers to the Food and Drug Administration -- that their shots work well in babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Only a handful of countries, including China and Cuba, have offered different types of COVID-19 vaccinations to children younger than 5.Pfizer has a pediatric track record -- its COVID-19 vaccine is the only type the FDA allows for children of any age. Two doses plus a booster are cleared for everyone 5 and older. Shots for theFor kids younger than 5, Pfizer and its partner BioNTech lowered the dose even more, to a tenth of the adult dose.
Moderna’s study found tots ages 6 months through 5 years developed high antibody levels after two of its shots. But while there were no severe cases of COVID-19 during the trial, the vaccine was only about 40% to 50% effective at preventing milder infections. Moderna has begun testing a booster for tots.If the FDA authorizes one or both shots — a decision expected shortly after its advisory panel's meeting — all eyes move to the CDC. That agency recommends how to use vaccines.
For older ages, the CDC has recommended vaccination anyway to lower the chances of reinfection. There’s no firm guidance on how long to wait; the CDC has said people may wait three months after an infection.There are roughly 18 million children younger than 5, and many parents are eager to get their tots vaccinated. But it’s unclear how many ultimately will, given disappointing vaccine uptake by older children.
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