Canada has authorized the use of Pfizer / BioNTech’s Covid vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. It is the first country to give the green light for this age group, reports the ‘BBC’ online.
The announcement of the decision came from the Canadian Ministry of Health, which explained how the decision was based on data from Phase 3 clinical trials in children of that age. “The department has determined that this vaccine is safe and effective when used in this younger group,” a ministry adviser said.
Canada has recorded over 1.2 million coronavirus cases, and about 20% of these have occurred in people under the age of 19. The risk of children becoming seriously ill or dying with Covid-19 is minimal, but the goal of vaccination for them is linked to reducing transmission of the virus, being able to keep schools open and protecting vulnerable children.
Pfizer is one of the vaccine manufacturers that has done studies and continues to initiate trials to collect data on Covid shield injection in children. In the UK, for example, AstraZeneca is testing its vaccine on 300 young volunteers between the ages of 6 and 17. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has established plans this week to start vaccination for the 12-15 year-olds as soon as possible.