COVID-19: Pfizer, BioNTech Seek EU’s Approval To Use Vaccine On Kids

Pfizer and BioNTech on Friday announced that they had submitted an application to the European Union (EU) drug regulatory body for approval in order to extend the authorisation of their COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12 to 15.

The two pharmaceuticals, in a statement, said their submission to the European Medicines Agency was based on an advanced study in more than 2,000 adolescents that showed their vaccine to be safe and effective. The children will continue to be monitored for longer-term protection and safety for another two years.

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BioNTech and Pfizer have previously requested their emergency use authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also be extended to children 12 to 15 years old.

German Health Minister, Jens Spahn, welcomed the news that the vaccine might soon get the green light for older children.

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“This can make a further real difference to our vaccine campaign if approval is granted,” he said on the sidelines of a visit to a vaccine manufacturing plant in the German town of Reinbek.

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The COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech was the first one to be granted a green light by the EMA last December when it was licensed for anyone 16 and over across the 27-nation EU bloc.