For both vaccines, 21 counselors voted on whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Young children are the only group that remained unfit for immunization during the pandemic. Health Canada is also reviewing Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for younger children. Canada has not yet received an application for this age group from Pfizer. It is not yet clear when a decision will be made in Canada. CLOCKS Health Canada is examining Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for younger children:
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children under review by Health Canada
Health Canada is reviewing Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for infants and young children under the age of six. The news was welcomed by some parents, while others say they will not rush to vaccinate their children when approved.
Child-size downloads may be available next week in the US
U.S. FDA reviewers said both brands appear to be safe and effective for children up to six months old in analyzes published before the all-day meeting. Side effects, including fever and fatigue, were generally minor in both, and less common than in adults.
If the FDA agrees with its advisers and approves the shots, there is one more step. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will decide on a formal recommendation following a meeting of their advisors on Saturday.
If the CDC signs, child-sized vaccines could be available Monday or Tuesday at clinics, hospitals and pharmacies in the US
The Moderna vaccine for younger children will be one-quarter the size of the adult composition and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be one-tenth the size of an adult.
During tests, Pfizer-BioNTech found that these two doses did not provide enough protection against Omicron, so it would be a three-dose vaccination course. Moderna’s will be two-dose, although the company has added a booster to its pediatric studies and is expected to offer this third dose in the future.
“Alarming increase” in childcare during Omicron
Dr Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biological Assessment and Research, kicked off Wednesday’s meeting with data showing a “rather worrying increase” in infant hospitalization during the Omicron wave, noting that 442 children under four have died. during the pandemic. in the USA
That’s a lot less than adult deaths, but it should not be overlooked given the need to vaccinate younger children, he said.
“Every child who goes missing breaks a family,” Marx said.
Dr Arwa Nasir, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told CBC News that providing the vaccine to young children was “very important” in protecting them from COVID-19.
“Children under the age of five, you know, can not cover either. Their hand, mouth and hygiene habits are not as well established as those of adults. Therefore, transmission is very common in this patient population,” he said. Nasir, who did not attend the FDA Advisory Committee, said Wednesday.
“Anything that could prevent a possible bad infection with a very, very low risk of side effects, I think is hard to resist,” he said.
