The use of Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 has begun to be evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as announced today Monday.
The announcement came a week after the two companies provided data to support the use of their vaccine for young children.
The companies said the vaccine elicits a strong immune response in children aged 5 to 11 in clinical trials involving 2,268 people.
For its part, the EMA said it will review data related to vaccines, including the results of an ongoing clinical trial.
Pfizer vaccine is not currently approved for this age group, but it is approved for use in children 12 years of age and older in both the United States and the European Union.
Although children are less susceptible to serious illness than Covid-19, they can still transmit the virus to other people, including vulnerable groups who are at greater risk of serious illness.
The opinion of the EMA committee will be forwarded to the European Commission, which will take the final decision on this matter.
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