Green light to vaccinate children: the European Medicines Agency approves the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years

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Green light to vaccinate children: the European Medicines Agency approves the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years
green light to vaccinate children: the european medicines agency approves

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children ages 5 to 11. This vaccine is currently used in people over 12 years of age to protect against Covid-19 and now the European medical committee has concluded that the benefits outweigh the risks and recommends giving the vaccine to minors.

This decision comes after a study carried out on 2,000 minors, of which 90% have been able to cope with the symptoms. For the moment, the EMA has approved its application, a preliminary step for the different ministries of Health to approve its application in the different countries.

The two doses of Pfizer also for children (with less quantity)

The application of the Pfizer vaccine is also recommended in two doses three weeks apart, as in the older ones, although with a smaller dose with respect to those over 12 years of age. Specifically, 10 µg compared to 30 µg.

The study began in mid-October and it was found that of 1,305 children with the vaccine, only three developed the infection. In contrast, 16 of the 663 who were given a placebo showed symptoms. As described by the EMA, the effectiveness of the vaccine was shown to be 90.7%, although the real ratio could be between 67.7% and 98.3%, they explain.

Among the side effects of the vaccine it is explained that they are similar to those of people 12 years and older, this includes pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, and chills. Mild or moderate effects that disappear a few days after vaccination and allow access to a great benefit such as protection against Covid-19.

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The position of the European Medicines Agency will now be sent to the European Commission, which must issue the final decision.

This recommendation comes in full increase of cases in Europe and where children under 11 years of age are also a population group with a high incidence, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health. In total, they accumulate an incidence of 203.57 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last two weeks. In comparison, the 40-49 age group accumulates 155.91.