Pfizer-BioNTech COVID shot 73.2 per cent effective in kids aged under five years, reveals new data

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was 73.2 per cent effective in children aged between six months and four years, the company’s data showed yesterday, two months after the US rollout of the shots began for that age group.

Pfizer and BioNTech’s BNTX.O vaccine was authorised for children under five years of age in June, based on data that showed the vaccine generated a similar immune response to those seen in older age groups.

An early analysis based on 10 symptomatic COVID-19 cases in the study had suggested a vaccine efficacy of 80.3 per cent in this group, but experts had warned that the data was preliminary due to the low number of symptomatic cases.

The updated data released yesterday showed 13 children had COVID-19, at least seven days after receiving a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, compared with 21 cases in those who received a placebo.

Most cases were caused by the Omicron BA.2 variant that was dominant in March and April, when the study was conducted.

The companies also said they were preparing an application seeking the US authorisation for an Omicron-targetting vaccine booster in children aged six months through 11 years of age.

Edits by EP News Bureau