Pfizer asks FDA to expand emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccines to includes kids from ages 12 to 15

Pfizer Inc has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine to Americans between ages 12 and 15. 

When the vaccine was originally authorize for use by the FDA in December 2020, it was for those aged 16 and older. 

But recently Phase III clinical trial data found that the vaccine was 100 percent safe and effective in younger teens.

If approved by the FDA, 12-to-15 year olds could be immunized before the start of the 2021 school year. 

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are also studying how well their vaccine works in children between ages six months and 11 years old. 

The first volunteers in the early-stage trial were given their first injections in March and the companies hope to expand eligibility to that age group by early 2022. 

Children are often the last group to be tested during clinical trials because they are not merely little adults. 

Their bodies and immune systems behave differently, meaning they might have different treatment needs.

What’s more, children may need different doses or needle sizes depending on their height, weight and age – which is why most children are only vaccinated after safety has been well-documented in the adult population.

So far, 112 million Americans – 33.7 percent of the population – have received at least one dose and 66.2 million – 19.9 percent – are fully immunized. 

About an average of three million people are being vaccinated every day and President Joe Biden has set a goal of 200 million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.