EMA: "Green light" in the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 - 15 years

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Friday afternoon that the Pfizer vaccine for coronavirus was considered safe for children aged 12-15.

In the context of the relevant press conference, the head of the vaccination strategy of EMA, Marco Cavaleri, also made known that the recommendation for the administration of Pfizer to children 12-15 years old does not differ in anything from the one that applies to 16 year olds and above.

That is, EMA recommends that the vaccine be given to children's arm muscles and that the second dose be given 3 weeks later. The Pfizer vaccine thus becomes the first coronavirus vaccine to be licensed for use in adolescents in the 27 member states of the European Union. The EMA also stressed that it is constantly monitoring the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine, both in children and adults.

Moderna is expected to be the next to ask for permission for children
The United States and Canada have already approved the use of the vaccine for 12-15 year olds, while Japan also gave the green light, as announced by the country's authorities on Friday morning. Germany even plans to start the vaccination program for children from 12 years of age from September. Moderna is expected to be the second company to apply for approval of its vaccine to adolescents and children 12 years and older.

At the same time, the European Medicines Agency has announced that it is examining, in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies that manufacture approved coronavirus vaccines, the possibility of a third additional dose due to the increase and spread observed in the mutations of the virus. However, as he clarified, according to the data so far, the immunity that develops from the two doses is also effective against mutations, emphasizing at the same time that the study of the subject will continue.