Pfizer and BioNTech on Friday asked the Food and Drug Administration to extend the emergency use of COVID to cover adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15.
Why does it matter: The authorization would expand vaccination efforts and accelerate the country’s race to herd immunity, a goal that will eventually require the vaccination of adolescents and children.
The whole picture: A study of more than 2,200 children between the ages of 12 and 15 found that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine was 100% effective in protecting against coronavirus.
- “Globally, we yearn for a normal life. This is especially true for our children,” said Ugur Sahin, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, in March.
- Pfizer and BioNTech announced last month that the first doses were given in a study for children aged 6 months to 11 years.
Go deeper: The pandemic has an impact on adolescents