Pfizer and BioNTech have begun testing the coronavirus vaccine in children younger than 12 years of age with the aim of making the vaccine widely available in this group by early 2022, according to Reuters. The tests will be conducted on children aged six months and older.
Vaccination of the children was administered Wednesday, March 24, according to Pfizer spokesman Sharon Castillo. Results of the vaccinations are expected by the second half of 2021.
The US regulator approved the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine to vaccinate people 16 and older back in December 2020. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 66 million doses of the vaccine had been administered for immunizations through the US as of March 24.
Moderna began conducting clinical trials in a similar age group last week, and its vaccine is only available in the United States for people over the age of 18.
To make sure the vaccine is safe for this group, Pfizer and BioNTech will test it with 144 people in the first phase. Eventually, there will be 4500 participants.
Manufacturers are now testing their vaccines on children aged 12 to 15 for diseases. Pfizer and BioNTech will receive test results in the coming weeks.
