US Officially Approves Pfizer for Children Aged 5 to 11

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."

He added: "It is a major step forward for our nation in our fight to defeat the virus."

It is worthy to mention that the US started to decrease the age restrictions for vaccination, especially for teens and kids due to the significant emergence of infection among them.