Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine as a three 3-µg dose series for children 6 months through 4 years of age (also referred to as 6 months to less than 5 years of age).
“Tens of millions of older children across the globe have already been vaccinated with our COVID-19 vaccine, helping to prevent symptomatic, severe disease and hospitalization. We know many parents in the U.S. have been eagerly awaiting an authorized vaccine for their children under 5 and we are proud to now offer them a vaccine option with a favorable safety profile,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer.
The trial included 4,526 children 6 months through 4 years of age.
The antibody responses in both age groups were comparable to those recorded in people 16 to 25 years of age immunized with two 30-µg doses and met the pre-specified success criteria to declare non-inferiority.
The clinical trial results were reviewed by the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) on June 15, who unanimously recommended authorization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet June 17 and June 18 to discuss a potential recommendation for the use and rollout of the vaccine to children 6 months through 4 years of age. Vaccinations for children 6 months through 4 years of age are anticipated to start subject to and after the CDC endorses the ACIP recommendation.
Pfizer and BioNTech will begin shipping 3-µg pediatric doses as directed by the U.S. government. Eligible U.S. residents will continue to receive the vaccine for free, consistent with the U.S. government’s commitment to free access to COVID-19 vaccines.
