Now that Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine has full FDA approval, when can we expect the FDA to give permission for children under 12 to get the shots?
For months, children ages 6 months through 11 years old have been taking part in clinical trials. Dr. Mark Kline, Physician-in-Chief at Children's Hospital New Orleans, expects an emergency use authorization could have kids getting shots before the end of the year, if all goes well.
"Pfizer may apply for emergency use authorization for children in the 5 to 11 year group perhaps as soon as October," he said. "And that would mean, potentially, there Could be shots in arms by the end of the calendar year."
Dr. Kline says it won't be a moment too soon.
"I think all of us in pediatrics are impatiently waiting and hoping that that is the case because we certainly are seeing a lot of COVID disease in children in that age group," said Dr. Kline, emphasizing that's why masking and vaccination of anyone around kids is important.
