In the coming weeks, the FDA will review and then authorize Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for children ages 5-11 at the ratio of one-third of the dose provided to adolescents and adults.
On Friday, it scheduled a meeting of the independent committee, which advises the Food and Drug Administration on vaccine and drug approvals, for Oct. 26.
Data shows the vaccine is safe and effective in children age 5 to 11 at the ratio of one-third the dose used in adolescents and adults.
If FDA authorizes the use, and if a second federal advisory committee also agrees, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine could be available to children within few days.
"We know from our vast experience with other pediatric vaccines that children are not small adults," acting FDA Commissioner Dr Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
The FDA will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of clinical trial data submitted in support of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for use in children, she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of Americans getting their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine remains at its lowest point this year. Comparatively, the places with low vaccination rates the states with higher vaccination rates are seeing far lower covid19 case counts, hospitalizations and deaths.
