Just In
- 3 hrs ago Aditi Rao Hydari's 8 Tips for Glowing Skin: A Celebrity Skincare Routine Unveiled, Bonus Tips Included!
- 3 hrs ago April 2024 Health Horoscope: Know How This Month Will Affect Zodiac Signs In Terms Of Wellness
- 4 hrs ago Good Friday 2024: Wishes, Messages, Greetings, Texts, Images, Quotes, WhatsApp, And FB Status
- 12 hrs ago Aditi Rao Hydari Marries Siddharth, Exploring Heeramandi Star's Ethnic Style Statements, Bookmark Now!
Don't Miss
- Finance 1:2 Split, 70% Dividend YTD: ICICI Direct Gives Buy On Cochin Shipyard; Miniratna Stock Up 280% In 1 Year
- Sports Rajasthan Royals Rising Star Riyan Parag's Redemption Story Takes Center Stage in IPL 2024
- Movies Krishna Mohini Promo: Fahmaan Khan- Debattama Saha's New Show Looks Promising, To REPLACE THIS Drama?
- News Jailed Gangster-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies Of Heart Attack
- Automobiles Xiaomi SU7 Electric Car Launched – May End Apple Inc.
- Technology HONOR Pad 9 With Bluetooth Keyboard Up For Grabs At Rs 22,499 in India
- Education RSMSSB Junior Instructor Recruitment 2024; Apply online for 2500 Posts, Check out for more details
- Travel Explore Tamil Nadu's Diverse Wedding Venues
EU Regulator Approves BioNTech-Pfizer Vaccine For Children In 5-11 Age Group
The European Medicines Agency, the EU's regulator for medicinal products, on Thursday approved the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, also known as Comirnaty, for children aged 5-11. It's the first vaccine approved for children under 12 in the 27-member EU.The vaccine has already been approved in the EU for use in people between the ages of 12 and 17 years since May and for adults since December 2020.
EMA said the vaccine should be given to children in two doses of 10 micrograms three weeks apart as an injection in the upper arm. Adult doses contain 30 micrograms. "The benefits of Comirnaty in children aged 5 to 11 outweigh the risks, particularly in those with conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19," EMA said.
Vaccinating children seen as key
The companies said a clinical trial of children aged 5 to 11 showed their vaccine to be 90.7% effective against the coronavirus. However, the studies have not been large enough to determine whether the vaccine could produce rare side effects such as chest and heart inflammation that have been seen in mostly male older teenagers and young adults after the second dose.
The approval for younger children comes as Europe battles another massive surge of COVID-19 cases. Authorities in Austria, which is seeing a very high rate of infections, did not wait for EMA approval and have already begun vaccinating the 5 to 11 age group.
In Germany and the Netherlands, children now account for the majority of cases, and experts say that vaccinating them could be vital to bringing the fourth wave of the pandemic under control. COVID-19 death in Germany reached 100,000 on Thursday.
What happens now?
EMA approval now has to be rubber-stamped by the EU's executive branch, the European Commission, before the vaccination can be rolled out for the 5-11 age group in EU member states. It typically follows EMA guidelines.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn said earlier this week that shipping of vaccines for younger children in the EU would begin on December 20. Germany's standing vaccination committee (STIKO) is due to issue its recommendation on vaccinating children aged 5-11 before the end of the year.
tj/msh (Reuters, AFP)
- health4 Diseases You Can Take Vaccine For Even After You Turn 40: Is It Too Late to Get Hepatitis B Vaccine?
- healthDid Covid-10 Vaccination Increase Risk Of Sudden Deaths In Young Adults? ICMR Finds This..
- kidsMeasles And Rubella Vaccination Drive Commences In Delhi: What You Need To Know
- disorders cureCommon COVID Symptoms In Fully Vaccinated Individuals: What You Should Know
- wellnessMild COVID Linked To Life-Threatening Blood Clots, Increased Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease; Study
- disorders cureWHO Publishes First-Ever List Of Fungal Pathogens: What You Should Know
- wellnessCOVID-19 Variants In India: New COVID Variant May Pose Threat To Elderly People
- basicsCovid-19 Linked To Early Onset Of Periods: What You Need To Know
- wellnessCOVID XBB Variants Of Omicron In India: What You Should Know
- disorders cureNew Omicron Subvariant BQ.1 Detected In Maharashtra: What You Should Know
- disorders cureOmicron BF.7 In India, Risk Of Fresh Wave During Diwali: What You Should Know
- disorders cureWhat Is ‘Centaurus,’ New Fast-Spreading Covid Variant: Everything You Need To Know