October 26, 2021
The Pfizer Covid19 vaccine is recommended for kids ages five to 11 under emergency use authrorization….so says the FDA’s independent advisory panel.
But *no* this is not over and *no* you can’t go out today and get the vaccine for your kid. I’ll explain why in a second. Also, I do not sit on this advisory panel. I have literally no say in what they chose to do. I am reporting the facts of what happened so you can stay informed. If you’re upset about this information, please direct your anger where it belongs. And most importantly — if you have real questions and concerns about the vaccine for your child – please, please, please consult with your child’s pediatrician.
Now – back to the facts –the same group of FDA advisors who has been recommending these vaccines since the beginning met publicly all day today and ultimately, answered this question —
“Based on the totality of scientific evidence available, do the benefits of the Pfizer-Biontech Covid-19 vaccine when administered as a 2-dose series (10 microgram each dose, 3 weeks apart) outweigh its risks for use in children 5-11 years of age?”
That’s one third of the adult dose
The advisors voted yes, 17 to zero. One abstained.
Now this recommendation will go to the FDA commissioner for either approval or denial. Then the CDC advisors will meet next week and either approve or deny this recommendation then the final sign off will come from the CDC director.
And for those of you wondering about the Moderna vaccine for kids – the company says its vaccine trials in kids ages 6 to 11 show “robust” immune response and the company plans to submit that information to the FDA for approval “in the near term.”
