Pfizer revealed on Thursday it seeks to widen its COVID-19 booster shots to healthy elementary-age kids.
The giant medicine manufacturing company made the revelation after U.S. health authorities urged everyone 12 and older to get one booster dose for the best protection against the newest variants — and recently gave the option of a second booster to those 50 and older.
Pizer says their latest study has shown that healthy 5- to 11-year-olds could benefit from another kid-sized shot.
Based on the analysis, it was learned that 140 youngsters who’d gotten two shots were given a booster six months later, and researchers found the extra shot generally revved up their immune response.
However, a closer look at 30 children found a 36-fold increase in virus-fighting antibodies, levels high enough to fight the super-contagious omicron variant.
Sources said Pfizer tested the kid booster while omicron was surging this winter.
According to reports, while COVID-19 cases now are at much lower levels in the U.S., in recent weeks, and even more contagious version of omicron, called BA.2, has become the dominant type locally and around the world.
In the coming days, the companies plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize a booster for healthy 5- to 11-year-olds.
Moreover, it was learned that vaccinations are generally less effective against the omicron variant than earlier versions of the coronavirus, but they still offer strong protection against severe disease.
While COVID-19 is a more significant threat to adults, youngsters can get seriously ill. But regulators will have to decide if healthy elementary-age kids need a booster and when.
Among the COVID vaccines, Pfizer shots are the only vaccine available to U.S. children.
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