Experts say extending vaccines to young kids is a key part of curbing COVID.
Connecticut health experts welcomed the prediction that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine could be cleared as early as September for use in children ages 2 to 11.
Despite the news shared by a Pfizer executive, many pointed out that approval could still be months away.
“We have to understand that the prediction of expanded use by September is just that — it is a prediction,” said Dr. Magna Dias, chair of pediatrics Bridgeport Hospital. “We have no information with which to judge whether that would be something we would support or not.”
However, just the possibility of expanding eligibility is promising, said Dr. Thomas Murray, associate medical director of infectious disease at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. “As far as I know, the data on trials (in younger children) has not been released, but it’s looking very positive.”
The use of the vaccine in younger children was mentioned Tuesday in a conference call with Albert Bourla, CEO and chairman of Pfizer.
During the call, Bourla mentioned that a study evaluating “the safety and efficacy” of the COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 months to 11 years old has progressed to the point where he expects to submit for an emergency use authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so the vaccine may be administered to children ages
2 to 11 by September.
Bourla said he expects to have a response soon from the FDA on Pfizer’s application to use the COVID vaccine in children aged 12 to 15.
Though Dias emphasized that the studies are still ongoing, she, like Murray, sees reason for optimism. “My guess is if the FDA advisory board granted permission to (expand eligibility) I would be on board,” she said.
Others said expanding the vaccine to children is key to getting COVID-19 under control. “Children are important because they’re a big reservoir for the virus,” said Dr. Zane
Saul, Bridgeport Hospital chief of infectious disease. “Even though they don’t get as sick from it, they can carry it.”
He said vaccinating children age 2 to 11 is “a win-win situation, particularly in our attempt to get people back to school.”
Mary Peterson, assistant clinical faculty in the Quinnipiac University School of Nursing, agreed.
“It’s a really important part of the plan,” she said. “In order to achieve herd immunity, 85 percent of people need be immunized including children.”
But, she said, it’s too early to know how enthusiastic parents would be about getting their young children vaccinated. Peterson said she’s been encouraged by how many teenagers have wanted to get the vaccine since eligibility opened to those 16 and older, but doesn’t know how that will translate with younger children.
“I don’t know how parents are going to feel about this,” she said. “I would hope parents would want to vaccinate their children. It’s really for the good of their child and the good of the general population.”