Disclosure :: this post is sponsored by Children’s Hospital.
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11
On Monday, September 20, Pfizer announced that clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5-11 years have yielded positive results. This comes as a welcome relief, after recent increases in pediatric hospitalizations due to COVID-19 disease.
The contagious Delta variant has proven to be dangerous, particularly in babies, children, and teens. In the the last two months, Children’s Hospital New Orleans saw its highest rates of pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. The results from this study have come in at a time when the children need the protection of vaccination the most. The study, which is enrolling children 6 months to 11 years of age has seen positive results. After receiving a two-dose regimen, participants have produced an appropriate antibody response, and shown that the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated.
With 45% of Louisianans over the age of 12 years vaccinated, Pfizer is working diligently to have the vaccine authorized for the 5-11 year age range. The data has been analyzed, and it is positive. Now the company will take steps to submit this data to the FDA and other regulatory agencies as soon as possible. Like the vaccines for adults and children 12 years and older, Pfizer plans to include the data in a near-term submission for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as they continue to accumulate the safety and efficacy data required to file for full FDA approval in this age group. The EUA will allow vaccine distribution, prior to full FDA approval. With the EUA, the COVID-19 vaccine should be available for children in 5-11 year age group later this fall.
About Leron Finger, MD
Chief Quality Officer
Dr. Leron Finger, having previously served as Associate Medical Director, was named Chief Quality Officer in 2018. Dr. Finger earned his medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his pediatrics internship and pediatric critical care residency at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Dr. Finger is board-certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, LSU Health New Orleans.
