(CNN) -
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for Pfizer's covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 on Friday.
It is the first vaccine against covid-19 authorized in the country for the little ones.
On Tuesday, FDA vaccine advisers voted 17-0, with one abstention, to recommend emergency authorization of the vaccine, which involves the use of one-third of the dose of the vaccine used for 12-year-olds. or more.
Pfizer claims that a clinical trial showed that its vaccine provides more than 90% protection against symptomatic disease among children, even at a third of the dose, and the company hopes this lower dose will reduce the risk of any side effects. .
The issue now goes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.
CDC's vaccine advisers, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will meet on November 2 to discuss whether to recommend the use of the vaccine among American children.
Afterward, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky will make the final decision on its use.
The White House says it already has a plan to distribute the vaccines to younger children, meaning they could be given as soon as they get the go-ahead from the CDC.
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Until now, Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine was licensed for children ages 12-15.
Furthermore, the vaccine is approved for people 16 years of age and older.
News in development.
