The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine bivalent for youngsters six months outdated by way of 4 years of age.
At least two months previous to getting this booster, kids should have accomplished their three-dose major vaccination sequence.
Children in that age vary who solely acquired the primary two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine should not presently eligible for this booster. The FDA recommends that they full the three-dose sequence.
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The FDA mentioned in its announcement that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent contains an mRNA part that gives a “broadly protective” immune response in opposition to COVID-19, in addition to in opposition to the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.
“Today’s authorization provides parents and caregivers of children 6 months through 4 years of age who received the three-dose primary series with the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine an opportunity to update their children’s protection by receiving a booster dose with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent,” mentioned Peter Marks, M.D., PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a press launch saying the authorization.
“Currently available data show that vaccination remains the best defense against severe disease, hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19 across all age groups,” he added.
“We encourage all eligible individuals to make sure that their vaccinations are up-to-date with a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine,” he additionally mentioned.
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Before authorizing the booster, the FDA analyzed immune response knowledge for 60 kids on this age vary who had accomplished the three-dose vaccine sequence along with a booster dose.
The FDA additionally cited a scientific examine that evaluated kids six months by way of 11 years of age who accomplished the three-dose major vaccine sequence together with the booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID 19 Vaccine, Bivalent.
The most typical facet impact amongst kids between six months and 23 months have been drowsiness, irritability, ache and swelling, injection website redness, decreased urge for food, fatigue and fever, the FDA famous.
For kids between two years and 4 years outdated, the most typical uncomfortable side effects have been vomiting, headache, fatigue, injection website ache, diarrhea, redness and swelling, joint ache and chills.
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For these ages 5 by way of 11, the most typical uncomfortable side effects have been muscle ache, joint ache, fatigue, headache, fever, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, injection website ache, swelling and redness, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
The FDA additionally cited a number of different research that assist the security of the really helpful booster dose.
These research evaluated people older than age 55 who acquired the booster, kids six months and older who acquired the first vaccine sequence, and folks 5 years and older who acquired booster vaccination with the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which was beforehand approved however is now not.
“Just because a vaccine is approved doesn’t mean it should automatically be used.”
Marc Siegel, M.D., professor of medication and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medical Center, in addition to a Fox News medical contributor, identified that simply because a vaccine is accredited doesn’t imply it ought to mechanically be used.
“That should be a discussion between the parent and pediatrician — and child,” he advised Fox News Digital in an electronic mail.
“It should be based on factors such as the child’s previous reaction to the vaccine.”
He added that the effectiveness of the vaccines wanes over time.
Fact sheets offered to vaccine recipients, caregivers and well being care suppliers warn of the danger of myocarditis and pericarditis, the FDA famous.
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In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) up to date its official baby and adolescent immunization schedule to incorporate COVID-19 vaccines.
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The schedule, which is posted on the CDC’s web site, recommends that kids between six months of age and 18 years outdated ought to obtain two doses of the first sequence between 4 and eight weeks aside — adopted by a booster dose not less than eight weeks later.