Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine approved for children ages 12 to 15

By Alyssa Wilson Published: May 11, 2021

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine approved for children ages 12 to 15

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2021, file photo, a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 is shown at a one-day vaccination clinic set up in an Amazon.com facility in Seattle and operated by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Pfizer announced Wednesday, March 31, 2021 that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

By: Alyssa Wilson

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be used in children as young as 12 on an emergency use basis.

Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodwock said the decision by the organization can get the United States closer to a return to normal and that they took the review seriously, CNBC reported.

A clinical trial involving more than 2,000 12-to-15-year-olds revealed that the vaccine was well tolerated. It had an efficacy rate of 100% within the age group.

On Wednesday, the CDC endorsed the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the age group.

Pfizer and BioNTech also began testing the vaccine on children between the ages of 6 months and 11 years old.