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May 4, 2021 - Health

Reports: FDA expected to authorize Pfizer for adolescents by next week

Ivana Saric
silhouette of hands in medical gloves hold a medical syringe and a vial in front of Pfizer logo

Photo: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds by next week, The New York Times reports.

Why it matters: Opening up vaccine eligibility to young people and children will be crucial as the U.S. works to achieve herd immunity.

The big picture: The FDA approval for teens could come in early next week or even sooner, per AP.

  • The agency is also expected to approve the vaccine for even younger children in the fall.
  • Pfizer has said its vaccine was 100% effective at protecting against COVID-19 in a trial of more than 2,200 children between the ages of 12 and 15.
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