Pfizer has presented their vaccine to the FDA for children under 12 years of age. The final decision should come just in time for Halloween. 

Moving onto the next age group, Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted their vaccine for approval for children from 5-11 years old. The FDA currently has a meeting scheduled for October 26th to discuss the movement. The CDC has scheduled their meetings for November 2nd and 3rd, the last step in the process of approval. 

Vaccinating children is the next important step in fighting COVID-19. Children’s cases are climbing daily– tackling this group will help move the fight forward. The decision to vaccinate children under the age of 12 will impact their school lives, allowing them– and their parents– to feel safer in person and around peers. Activities prior to the pandemic may be able to resume if enough of the population is vaccinated, at least with fewer restrictions and less chance of exposure. Pfizer’s current statement to the FDA is to have the pediatric formula hold ⅓ of the adult dosage. 

The decision is being closely watched. While some parents are hesitant to allow their children to get the vaccine, others are looking forward to protecting their children as soon as possible. The decision will only come after every factor of the vaccination process has been scrutinized: clinical trials, diluents in the formula, and the specific syringes used for the child dosage.