US Approves COVID Vaccine For Children
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy news
(Worthy News) – In a controversial move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the first coronavirus vaccine for emergency use in children as young as 12.
The decision expanded access to the Pfizer-BioNTech jab to adolescents despite ongoing concerns among critics about the mRNA technology.
Authorities want to ensure usage ahead of the next school year. They claim it marks another milestone in the nation’s battle with the virus.
It comes despite reports by health authorities of side effects and even more than a dozen deaths in Norway and other countries among people using the vaccines. Officials say those “rare incidents” mainly impact the elderly or those with severe underlying conditions.
Last year, however, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said thousands of people suffered ‘health impact events’ due to COVID-19 vaccinations.
The CDC report obtained by Worthy News showed problems started almost immediately after the roll-out began of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 jab.
THOUSANDS IMPACTED
Out of 112,807 registered receivers of the vaccine, at least 3,150 people complained of “health impacts events” after the shot was administered, the report showed.
The report cited figures over the December 14-18 period when the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine distribution started in the United States.
In general, the main side effects are pain, fever, chills, and fatigue, particularly after the second dose.
However, the FDA declared the Pfizer vaccine is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15.
Those backing the move also say evidence suggests that vaccines will increase confidence in resuming in-person activities and are regarded as crucial to returning to normalcy.
Shots were expected to begin as soon as a federal vaccine advisory committee issues recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds on Wednesday. “This is a watershed moment in our ability to fight back the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Bill Gruber, a Pfizer senior vice president, said in published remarks.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has made clear it wants to distribute vaccines to as many Americans as possible while also promoting social distancing and mask-wearing among coronavirus measures.
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