Ellen Lindner / Verywell
Key Takeaways
Parents of young kids nationwide recently received some disappointing news.
That age group is the only one for whom the Pfizer vaccine is not yet authorized.
(Moderna and Johnson and Johnsons COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for people 18 and older.
Both companies are still studying pediatric doses.)
Why Exactly Was It Delayed?
Each dose had a tenth of the amount in an adult dose.
(Surprisingly, the two doses did mount a sufficient response in kids 6 months to 23 months.)
Now, a third dose may be added into the mix.
Concerns about COVID-19 and children have recently increased.
Typically, the company decides when it wants to submit, not the other way around.
Marks explained to reporters why the agency had urged Pfizer to seek the two-dose authorization.
But that data proved insufficient to ask the advisory committee for a review.
Evaluating this initial data has been useful in our review, Marks added.
Will This Decision Make Parents Hesitate?
The delay was unexpected.
Health experts expect some parents to be more hesitant toward the shots.
But others will likely be disappointed that the vaccines for this age group are not yet authorized.
They thought the vaccine would at long last be available.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Kaiser Family Foundation.KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: January 2022 parents and kids update.
