Pfizer and BioNTech Vaccine For Children: On Friday, Britain’s medicines regulator, approved the usage of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12-15 years.
The MHRA added that the benefits of giving the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine to kids, were much more than the possible risks. “We have carefully reviewed clinical trial data in children aged 12 to 15 years and have concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective in this age group and that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh any risk,” said June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
MHRA has carefully reviewed clinical trial data
Raine then said that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will decide, whether the aforementioned age group will come under the vaccine deployment programme.
United Kingdom approved the usage of Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine
In December last year, the United Kingdom became the first country, to approve the emergency use of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for adults and minors aged between 16-18.
However, the country decided to not include 16-17 year old, for the immunisation drive, in spite of them being eligible for the same. They were given jabs only under specific circumstances, for example, if someone in their household was immunosuppressed.
Now that the COVID-19 jabs for children have got clearance, experts are expected to decide on commencing with the vaccination drive, for all children, aged above 12.
Pfizer clinical trials were quite promising
In March this year, Pfizer had claimed that its vaccine was 100 per cent safe for children. This was after the pharmaceutical firm had conducted clinical trials on adolescents. Albert Bourla, the chief executive officer of the company stated that the clinical trials were promising and that countries all over the world, can start vaccinating students before the next school year begins.
Meanwhile, in May this year, Moderna said that its COVID-19 vaccine can protect children who are just 12 years old. This was the month in which the United States and Canada gave clearance for the using the Pfizer shot on all children, above the age of 12.
As for India, the government has now decided on easing the regulatory norms for allowing the usage of foreign vaccines in the country. However, the final agreement on the indemnity and procurement norms, between India and Pfizer is still pending.