By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — On Monday, officials with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the expansion of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include children as young as 12 years old.

All available, approved COVID-19 vaccines are currently open for all Americans over the age of 16. According to State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, authorizing a vaccine for younger age groups would make it easier to safely reopen schools in the fall.

FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks stated Pfizer’s testing in adolescents, “met our rigorous standards...having a vaccine authorized for a younger population is a critical step in continuing to lessen the immense public health burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Marks stated that a Pfizer trial involving over 2,000 children found no COVID-19 cases amongst those who were given the vaccine; however, similar side effects – including cold-like symptoms found in adult vaccinations – still occurred.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla stated the company expected to have data available for elementary school students by the end of 2021.