The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the major drug regulator of the European Union, approved on Thursday using Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between five, and eleven years old.
It recommended that this category of children could receive two doses of the vaccine, but the amount of the medicine itself will be smaller than the usual jabs.
The European Medicines Agency on Thursday approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in children aged 5-11, in addition, the distance between the two shots will be at least three weeks.
EMA said in a statement: “The benefits of Comirnaty in children aged 5 to 11 outweigh the risks, particularly in those with conditions that increase the risk of severe Covid-19."
Early this month, US health officials approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between five and 11 years old, Sputnik reported on Wednesday.
The newly- included category will receive a smaller vaccine shot, compared to another the regular shots, as they will receive only the third of the regular jab.
Moreover, the period between the two doses will be three weeks only.
The latest decision will give the earliest opportunity for US children aged below 12 years old for receiving the vaccine.
Previously, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved giving vaccine shots for this age category, backed by US Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky encouraged parents to give their kids the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available for this age group that includes at least 28 million kids.
“As a mum, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their paediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated,” she said.
On his side, President Joe Biden praised the decision, saying: “It will allow parents to end months of anxious worrying about their kids, and reduce the extent to which children spread the virus to others.”
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