The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccine advisory group today approved the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, putting the nation on a likely path to immunize younger schoolchildren with schools eager to avoid more disruptions and with holiday gatherings approaching.With their vote, the 19-member Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 17 in favor, with 1 abstention, that the benefits outweigh the risks of vaccination.
The FDA typically accepts the recommendations of its independent panel. Pending the FDA's decision, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory group is scheduled to discuss a vaccine recommendation for kids on