A booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine raised antibody ranges in youngsters ages 5 to 11, the corporate mentioned Thursday.
The extra shot, given six months after the two-dose main sequence, led to a sixfold improve in antibodies against the unique pressure of the coronavirus.
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The scientific trial of the booster shot included 140 youngsters ages 5 by way of 11. In a smaller sub-analysis of 30 kids within the trial, Pfizer mentioned the extra dose led to a thirtysixfold improve in antibodies against the omicron variant of the virus.
Pfizer introduced the trial ends in a news launch. The information haven’t but been made out there to outdoors scientists for evaluation.
Pfizer’s Covid vaccine for kids 5-11 is available in a smaller dose than its vaccine for folks ages 12 and up: 10 micrograms, in comparison with 30 micrograms. The booster shot can be 10 micrograms.
In February, researchers from New York State Department of Health reported that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine supplied little safety against an infection in youngsters on this age group, with the vaccine’s effectiveness falling to 12 p.c in December and January.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later reported that the 2 doses for youngsters nonetheless protected strongly against extreme outcomes of Covid, together with hospitalization and demise.
In that report, CDC researchers mentioned the omicron variant was the rationale the photographs’ safety fell so low. The omicron wave led to a report variety of circumstances in youngsters, in comparison with earlier waves.
Less than 30 p.c of kids ages 5 to 11 have obtained two doses of a vaccine, in keeping with new information from the CDC.
Pfizer mentioned it plans to submit its information to the Food and Drug Administration within the coming days for emergency use authorization. Currently, Pfizer boosters can be found solely to folks ages 12 and up.