Pfizer says vaccine gives strong protection for those aged 12 to 15
TEL AVIV : Pfizer Inc said on Monday its Covid-19 vaccine provided strong long-term protection against the virus in a late-stage study conducted among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years.
A two-dose series of the vaccine was 100 per cent effective against Covid-19, measured seven days through over four months after the second dose, the company said.
The long-term data will support planned submissions for full regulatory approval of the vaccine in the age group in the United States and worldwide.
Pfizer and BioNTech will seek clearance for a 30 micrograms dose of the vaccine for those aged 12 and above.
The vaccine was authorised for emergency use in people aged 12-15 years by the US Food & Drug Administration in May, and granted full approval for use in people aged 16 and above in August.
Meanwhile, Israel began rolling out vaccines for children aged five to 11 on Monday, becoming one of a handful of countries to inoculate children so young as it seeks to ward off another pandemic wave.
Over the summer, Israel experienced an upsurge in coronavirus infections, fuelled by the Delta variant, and launched one of the earliest campaigns for booster shots. - REUTERS, AFP
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