The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shortened the time for all boosters from six months down to five months after the second dose, and authorized Pfizer’s coronavirus booster vaccine for children 12 to 15 years old.
On Monday, the agency also approved the third Covid-19 jab for children ages five to 11 who are immunocompromised.
‘Throughout the pandemic, as the virus that causes COVID-19 has continuously evolved, the need for the FDA to quickly adapt has meant using the best available science to make informed decisions with the health and safety of the American public in mind,’ Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock stated.
‘With the current wave of the omicron variant, it’s critical that we continue to take effective, life-saving preventative measures such as primary vaccination and boosters, mask wearing and social distancing to in order to effectively fight Covid-19.’
The FDA said it reviewed evidence and published data from the Israeli Ministry of Health on more than 6,300 children 12 to 15 years old who got the Pfizer jab. Among the youth observed, no new cases were seen of two potential side effects – myocarditis which is heart inflammation, and pericarditis which is inflammation of tissue around the heart.
The greenlight comes after reports on Thursday that the FDA would make the approvals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky must provide a recommendation on the FDA’s decision before changes go into effect.
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