The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for children ages 12 and up, widening the U.S. population that will be protected against the virus and bolstering chances for a safe return to full time school in the fall, the Food and Drug Administration announced Monday. Pfizer's vaccine was the first to show data in children as young as 12, a promising first step toward vaccinating younger Americans. The vaccine was the only option for those 16 and 17 and older in the U.S. with Moderna and Johnson & Johnson authorized for those 18 and older.
Now, the FDA authorization means kids throughout middle and high schools will have the opportunity to be vaccinated before the fall, alleviating many of the hurdles schools face in stopping transmission. Currently, about 115 million Americans are fully immunized -- about 35% of the population.
We discuss the development with Dr. Dean Fanelli.
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