FDA Postponed Pfizer Dose for Kids over Ineffectiveness against Omicron
The Wall Street Journal reported that the FDA delayed its review of the Pfizer/BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine for children under five years
According to the Wall Street Journal story, the United States Food and Drug Administration delayed its review last week of the Pfizer/BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine for children under five years because preliminary testing revealed its two-shots series was ineffective against the highly infectious Omicron variant.
The sources knowing the decision, told the Journal initial statistics revealed the Pfizer vaccine was working well against the previously detected Delta variant during testing; At the same time, it was the most dominant and deadly strain; some immunized kids developed Coronavirus after Omicron arose.
The WSJ reported that the FDA delayed its review of the Pfizer vaccine for children under 5 years because early testing disclosed its two-shots series was ineffective against Omicron. The vaccine showed effectiveness against Delta during testing.https://t.co/n7Q5hh62GEpic.twitter.com/MH48u5MskH
Moreover, the report cites the sources saying that some study subjects, whether inoculated or unvaccinated, developed the sickness during testing so far. The Omicron cases sample size made the vaccine appear less efficient in initial statistical assessment. The sources further added that FDA officials think the Pfizer/BioNTech dose might stop providing higher protection against the highly contagious Omicron once more cases emerge if the bulk of cases is in unvaccinated subjects.
So, both Pfizer and the FDA settled it would be better to wait for other cases, with the additional time allowing the drug agency to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine as either a two-shot or three-shot regimen. In addition, the agency was intended to decide by looking at whether the dose produced immune responses in compromises with those observed in older people. In addition, the agency was previously scheduled to evaluate the dose for kids six months through four years of age on 15th February.
Around 73% of Americans now Immune to Omicron Variant
Millions of Americans’ immune systems now recognize the COVID-19 and prepared to combat it if they encounter Omicron or even another strain. Around of eligible U.S. nationals received booster doses, they around almost eighty million confirmed CIVID-19 cases overall, and several new infections have still not been reported. Furthermore, one influential model uses those circumstances and others to assess that seventy-three percent of American individuals are, for now, immune to highly transmissible Omicron, and that could upsurge to eighty percent by mid-March.
The current variant or future ones that are likely to occur remains a dangerous germ. Still, it infects over one hundred thirty thousand American nationals and kills over two thousand every day. Tens of millions of Americans remain vulnerable. However, the COVID-19 is no longer new for scientists and human immune. Eighty million Americans are still vulnerable to the virus, most optimistic assessments for individuals’ immunity.
Federal Government to Make High-quality Face Masks for Kids
If administration plans come to completion, high-quality face masks for kids soon might be easier to find in the U.S. Senior adviser to the White House Coronavirus Response Team, Dr. Tom Inglesby, told CNN on Wednesday that the Biden government plans to make high-quality face masks available for kids and that process is in progress.
FDA Postponed Pfizer Shots for Kids over Ineffectiveness against Omicron Source: Web
The upcoming plan appears to be an extension of the current effort of the White House to distribute four hundred million free N95 face masks from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) for the community to access at community health centers and pharmacies countrywide. On Wednesday, Inglesby said during the virtual White House briefing that until now, officials delivered two hundred and thirty million facemasks to community health centers and pharmacies as part of the efforts of the government to supply high-quality face masks across the country.
In January, the CDC updated its guidance on respirators and face masks to suggest that everybody over the age of two should wear the most protective masks they can that fit well on their face. And should wear those masks consistently. Face coverings may be significant for kids, as several children ages five to eleven remain unvaccinated.
