Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PJ5OjjK9-2o

 

In applying to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization, Prizer reports that 2 doses of its vaccine are statistically protective for children 6 months to 2 years of age but not for those 2 through 4 years of age.  They envision adding a 3rd dose for all those 6 months through 4 years of age to help their vaccine reach the effectiveness heights shown for adolescents and adults.  They plan to test that theory in clinical trials and hope to have results by March.

 

Pfizer tested 2 doses of vaccine 3 weeks apart given to  about 4500 children ages 6 months through 11 years of age.  For those under 5 years, the dose was 3 ug which is one-third the dose given to the 5 through 11 year olds.  The safety profile of the vaccine was good for all children in this age group.

 

Pfizer feels that their data is strong enough to warrant vaccination initiation for these youngest children with addition of the third shot once data about its impact is available.  The American Academy of Pediatrics supports this two-phase rollout of  CoVid vaccination for those 6 months through 4 years of age.

 

But will the kids get the sometimes lifesaving vaccine? Even for older children 5 through 11 years, CoVid vaccination has been sluggish with only 28% in this age group receiving even one dose of the vaccine and only 18% being fully vaccinated.  The percentages vary by state with the highest percentage of fully vaccinated being in Vermont at 52% and the lowest being in Alabama at 5%. 

 

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967724

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-provide-update-ongoing-studies-covid-19

https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/update-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-5-11-year-olds-in-the-u-s/

 

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