Report: Pfizer Asking FDA For Emergency Use Of COVID-19 Vaccines For Children Six Months To Five Years Old

Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant behind one of the three main COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S., is reportedly set to officially ask the Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months to five years old. If the FDA were to grant Pfizer the request, shots could reportedly be available by the end of February. The possible move comes as several European nations have recommended against COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12 years old.

According to NBC News, a source close to the potential development said that “Federal regulators want to begin reviewing the data on two doses of the vaccine for this age group while the companies continue to gather data on a potential three-dose regimen.”

That source added that “The FDA is expected to eventually sign off on three doses for kids under 5, but regulators believe two doses in the meantime should provide enough — though less than ideal — protection against the omicron variant.”

As noted by The New York Times, the head of Pfizer has publicly stated in the past that the company’s goal was to have vaccine and boosters ready for children under five: