Vaccine approved for children in the US, is it safe?
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(CNN) -
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. chief health officer, said Thursday that covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 could be available in early 2022.
Speaking with CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta at the Citizen by CNN event, Murthy said he had a "vested interest" in this as the father of a 3-year-old boy.
“I've been looking forward to this too,” he said, responding to a question from a live viewer about when he expected a vaccine would be available for children under 5 years of age.
“Trials for children under the age of five have been underway and we anticipate that early 2022 is when we will see a vaccine available for children in that range.
“And I'll tell you I can't wait.
That will also be an important day for us. "
When can children under 5 years of age be vaccinated against covid-19?
What parents need to know
CDC experts approve use of Pfizer's vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 1:34
The vaccine is now available for children ages 5 to 11
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.
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According to a report released Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children now make up a disproportionate number of new COVID-19 cases, accounting for a quarter of all new cases last week.
In the informational documents it submitted to the FDA, Pfizer says its clinical trial showed that the vaccine provides 90.7% protection against symptomatic disease among this age group, with one-third of the dose that 12 people receive. years or more.
The company hopes the smaller dose will reduce potential side effects.
According to the CDC, 172 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have died from covid-19 as of this Monday.
In this age group there have been more than 8,300 hospitalizations related to covid-19 until September of this year, and about 1.9 million cases.
Until now, Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine was licensed for children ages 12-15.
That vaccine is already approved for people 16 and older.
CDC Experts Evaluate Recommending Covid-19 Vaccine for Younger Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics welcomed the decision.
"Licensing the vaccine for younger children is an important step in keeping them healthy and providing peace of mind for their families. The vaccine will make it safe for children to visit friends and family, hold Christmas gatherings, and resume normal activities for children. that were lost during the pandemic, "said Dr. Lee Savio Beers, president of the organization, in a statement.
"Pediatricians are ready to talk to families about the vaccine and to administer the vaccine to children as soon as possible."
"As a mother and as a doctor, I know that parents, caregivers, school personnel and children have waited for today's clearance. Vaccinating younger children against COVID-19 will bring us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy," FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
"Our thorough and rigorous evaluation of the vaccine safety and efficacy data should help reassure parents and guardians that this vaccine meets our high standards."
The FDA said ages 5 to 11 account for 39% of COVID-19 cases in children.
