Drug company Pfizer has published a report that says its COVID-19 vaccine is 100 percent effective for kids ages 12 through 15. The vaccine, which is already being used for those as young as 16, is going through the FDA approval process for the younger children and should be available for distribution in the next few weeks to Utahns in the 12-15 age category.
“This is really important news,” Dr. Andrew Pavia, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Primary Children’s Hospital, told an online briefing of media members after Pfizer’s study was released. “It’s important news for three reasons at least: The first is that it protects children — that’s the most important reason,” he continued. “We often say children don’t get sick as often as adults and there are not as many hospitalizations or serious outcomes but that’s damning with faint praise.”
Pavia said there have been deaths from rare complications from COVID-19 that can develop in children. Pavia said the other reason the news was important is that children, especially teenagers, are key infection spreaders and getting them vaccinated will help the state to reach herd immunity.
“Having them vaccinated will allow them to interact with vulnerable people who can’t be vaccinated or if the vaccines won’t work and will decrease the risk for their family members and loved ones because no vaccine is 100 percent effective,” Pavia said. “And just because grandma and grandpa have been vaccinated, this adds an important extra layer of protection.”
