Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine safe, effective for children ages 5-11

Elementary school-aged kids could soon be rolling up their sleeves to get their COVID-19 shot.

Pfizer announced Monday its vaccine is safe and effective for children ages five to 11.

“We are eager to extend the protection afforded by the vaccine to this younger population, subject to regulatory authorization, especially as we track the spread of the delta variant and the substantial threat it poses to children,” Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.

The drugmaker said a much lower dose was given to the 2,268 participants during trials yet after their second dose, the children developed coronavirus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as teenagers and young adults.

Pfizer said it will share their data with regulators soon and will submit a request for emergency use authorization in the United States.