Pfizer announced today that a third shot of its COVID-19 vaccine boosts immune protection in children ages 5 years to 11 years. Compared to two previous Pfizer vaccine doses, a third dose produced 36 times higher protection against the Omicron strain.
The new data from the phase II-III study of the vaccine also shows an increase in neutralizing antibodies against the original coronavirus by six times in this age group.
No new safety concerns were reported.
Based on the positive results, Pfizer plans to request emergency use authorization from the FDA for a third dose in children 5 to 11 years old in the near future, according to a company news release.
This Pfizer news comes less than a month after Moderna announced strong immune response findings in children down to 6 months of age from a two-dose series of its vaccine. Moderna has also requested FDA authorization for younger children to receive its vaccine.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 differs from the one being used in people 12 years of age and older, and the two should not be used interchangeably, the company said.
Source
Pfizer: "Pfizer and BioNTech Announce Data Demonstrating High Immune Response Following a Booster Dose of their COVID-19 Vaccine in Children 5 Through 11 Years of Age."
Damian McNamara is a staff journalist based in Miami. He covers a wide range of medical specialties, including infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and critical care. Follow Damian on Twitter: @MedReporter.
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Cite this: Damian McNamara. Pfizer Findings Support Third Vaccine Dose in 5- to 11-Year-Olds - Medscape - Apr 14, 2022.
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