The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) recommended vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 against the coronavirus using BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine.
The approval came after a panel of 18 FDA experts who voted unanimously, with one abstention, agreeing that children vaccination would be rather beneficial than risky.
However, the decision is still pending approval from FDA and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), which is expected November 2, according to US media.
A study of Pfizer on 2,268 elementary school children who were given two vaccine jabs revealed that vaccinated children are able to develop antibodies as strong as those of teenagers and young adults.
“We think that we have optimized immune response and minimized reactions,” Pfizer senior vice president William Gruber told the panel.
The consideration of vaccinating children has been the subject of heated debates, as many experts were concerned by the idea that this might lead to vaccine mandates for children.
“I see this as a personal choice and equity question and not a mandate for all,” said Professor Michael Nelson of the VRBPAC.
Some scientists also showed concern over the side effects younger children might show once jabbed, noting that this group is not at significant risk of suffering severe COVID-19.
The vaccine advisers are scheduled to meet next week, November 2-3 to take the committee’s vote under consideration which will likely result in an extension of the vaccine to younger children in the upcoming days.
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