The CDC Vaccine Advisory Board has now recommended the Pfizer COVID vaccine in a 14-0 vote for everyone 12 and older. This follows one FDA decision on Monday to extend approval of the vaccine to this age group. According to recent studies, the vaccine appears to be just as safe and effective in this age group as it is in young adults. The The American Academy of Pediatrics also announced today that they recommend vaccinating children in this age group.
The difference between the two decisions is that FDA approval allowed these teenagers to get the vaccine, but the recommendation of the CDC panel, ACIP, means that insurance companies have to bear the costs. ACIP traditionally also influences other measures and recommendations, such as B. the standard vaccination schedules for children and adults. Many COVID vaccination clinics and pediatrician practices can offer the vaccine right away. So contact your child’s doctor or local vaccination clinic for information on availability.
The CDC also now recommends that COVID vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines, so that adolescents and adults can get their COVID vaccine along with other vaccines they may need, such as: B. HPV and meningitis vaccines recommended for teenagers. Previously, the CDC had recommended not giving a COVID vaccine within 14 days before or after another vaccine. This rule was not based on a known danger, but was “out of caution”. But after so many people got the vaccine safely (116 million adults and 1.3 million 16 and 17 year olds) now fully vaccinated) The CDC has removed the waiting period from its clinical considerations.
What did the studies say?
The expanded approval is based on a study of over 2,000 12 to 15 year olds in which half received the vaccine and half received the placebo. There were 16 cases of COVID-19 in the placebo group and none in the vaccine group with 100% effectiveness. (Effectiveness in the real world may be less, but this is still an excellent result.)
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There was also an analysis that compared 190 people between the ages of 12 and 15 who received the vaccine with 170 people between the ages of 16 and 25. The younger people showed the same immune response as their somewhat older peers.
While children are at a lower risk of death and serious complications from COVID, they are at greater risk of a severe inflammatory syndrome called MIS-C This can be triggered by a COVID infection. They can also be prone to long-term COVID and they can spread the virus to other family members. Vaccinating children helps protect them and the adults they come in contact with. It will also make schools and activities safer; Once most children are vaccinated and cases are low, mask requirements and distancing may no longer be required in schools.
Is the children’s vaccine different from the adult version?
No, it is the same vaccine at the same dose given on the same schedule (two doses three weeks apart). This means that a vaccination clinic doesn’t have to do anything significantly different for 12 year olds than it does for 16 or 65 year olds. Hence, it is likely to be easy to introduce.
In a news conference, FDA officials noted that state regulatory agencies sometimes regulate the minimum age a particular professional can work. Just because the vaccine is approved for a specific age group doesn’t mean that every provider can give it. Check with your local vaccination clinic to see if they are of a minimum age. But if an adult provider in your state can’t give your child the vaccine, a pediatric provider can.
When will the vaccine be available for younger children?
Studies are still ongoing for younger children. The immunobridging approach, which compares the immune response of children with that of adults, is considered appropriate for 12 to 15 year olds. However, safety studies in younger children need to be more involved. The most appropriate dose and schedule for young children may also be different from that for adults.
Pfizer is the top company in its studies with children, and they recently announced that they are expected to file for approval in September for younger children and possibly in November for infants.
This post was originally published on May 11th and updated on May 12th, 2021 to include the CDC panel’s vote to recommend the vaccine, as well as the announcement that there is no waiting period between COVID vaccines and other vaccines.
