Pfizer and BioNTech now say that its COVID-19 vaccine was found to be safe and effective for children aged 12-15 years old in a clinical trial.
In a press release, Pfizer says the vaccine was 100% effective in this age group and triggered an even more robust antibody response than in people aged 16-25.
The trial enrolled 2,260 adolescents with about 1,100 each in the vaccinated and placebo groups.
“These results are astounding,” said Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and health economist and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists, and Chief Health Economist for Microclinic International.
“18 cases in the placebo group and 0 cases in the vaccine group - so far - but that is quite astounding. It implies 100% effective and it’s really, really promising.”
Dr. Feigl-Ding cautions that today’s announcement is not a full report of the clinical trial data, but based on Pfizer’s previous reporting, the 100% efficacy rating likely refers to its ability to prevent symptomatic cases.
The FDA has currently approved the vaccine for emergency use for people aged 16 and up.
The news is welcome to parents, students and school administrators working to get students back in their classrooms.
The vaccine could get emergency authorization for adolescents before the end of the current school year.
“I’m hopeful within the next two months we’ll have a pediatric vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds,” said Dr. Feigl-Ding.
Clinical trials in younger participants started later and approvals for younger children are expected to take longer. Pfizer began testing its vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 last week.
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