FDA to allow Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for minors aged 12 to 15

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to allowing 12 to 15 year old children to avail COVID-19 jabs  made by American firm Pfizer, FDA director general Eric Domingo said on Wednesday.

At a briefing president by President Rodrigo Duterte, Domingo said the FDA had received an amendment from Pfizer to include children aged 12 to 15 in the emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine.

"Ang ating mga experts, in-evaluate. In fact, early this evening, I already got the recommendations of our experts and it's very favorable," Domingo said.

"Within the week, we will issue an amendment and we will be able to use it in children of 12 to 15 years old,"  he added.

He said the US FDA already approved this amendment and has started using vaccines for the age group.

Domingo said FDA experts already gave a "favorable" recommendation as regards the amendment.

Sinopharm approval soon

Domingo said the Department of Health on May 20 submitted documents on the application for emergency use authority of China-made Sinopharm vaccine.

He said the FDA would finish evaluation of DOH documents this week or next.

"May kaunting documents na isusubmit ang DOH sa atin. We will be able to complete evaluation for Sinopharm either this week or early next week," Domingo said.

As for Novavax's EUA application, Domingo said the FDA are still awaiting documents from the company.

He also reported that there are two new COVID-19 vaccines, namely from China and Kazakhstan, which have EUA. This brings the total number of  registered vaccines all over the world to 16. —NB, GMA News