KIDS-SIZED DOSES: COVID-19 vaccine could be approved for children even younger than 12

KIDS-SIZED DOSES: COVID-19 vaccine could be approved for children even younger than 12
(FILE)

Pfizer testing vaccine use on as young as six-months-old

Education minister says models of learning & vaccination policy all being considered

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Parents who have been awaiting approval to vaccinate their young children against the coronavirus may be able to do so well before the end of the year, with Pfizer announcing on Monday that its lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine has been found to generate a “robust” antibody response in children ages five through 11.

The results of its latest clinical trials — 10 micrograms of vaccine administered to more than 2,200 children — are expected to be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of the month, according to the company’s CEO Albert Bourla.

Pfizer has received FDA approval for use in those 16 and older, with emergency use authorization for children ages 12-15; while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have emergency use authorization for adults.

Susan Charlow, her toddler and two sons, ages 12 and 14, at a vaccination site in August 2021.

Pfizer is also expected to release clinical trial data on its vaccine performance on children as young as six months to five years old sometime in October, according to international reports.

The announcement came just weeks after public schools across the country reopened with virtual learning, though Thursday’s change in government and minister of education could see certain policies reviewed and potentially changed.

After being sworn in, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin was asked about the status of face-to-face education in the country and whether there could be a return to classrooms.

“That issue, I would have to take advice on as to what are the driving influences in the decision-making in the first place to go into a remote environment,” she said.

“This is a very dangerous virus. It has had a huge toll and it has no regard for age [or] gender, and so, we have to be properly advised along with the health officials. So, I am not in a position to speak to that without being properly advised.”

Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin is sworn in on Monday. (BIS/LETISHA HENDERSON)

She was also asked if there was any consideration on making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory to enter schools — a policy adopted in some jurisdictions.

“I think that has to be fully understood and studied before we recommend that children take the [vaccine],” she said.

“I think as we move on and people have a greater comfort level and we have more data coming back from the use of the vaccine, I think then we can begin to make decisions of the nature.”

Vaccination remains voluntary in The Bahamas, which has had supplies of AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

 

Slowing vaccination pace

As was reported by Eyewitness News last week, the vaccination pace in country appears to have slowed, with another marginal drop-off in demand for the jab in the last week.

A total of 184,461 vaccines were administered as of September 18.

But this represents a nearly two percent decrease in vaccine uptake week-over-week.

According to the Ministry of Health, 73,901 people have been fully vaccinated in The Bahamas — an increase of 7,986 since the previous week.

Workers administer the COVID-19 vaccine to a resident on Abaco in June 2021. (RBDF PHOTO)

The figure includes the 3,773 people who were vaccinated abroad and registered with the Ministry of Health in The Bahamas.

A total of 114,333 have received a first dose of the vaccine.

Between September 4 and September 10, some 11,517 doses were administered and 6,913 were fully vaccinated.

As of September 10, a total of 173,130 doses had been administered, with 65,915 people fully vaccinated.

As of September 4, a total of 161,613 doses were administered, with 59,002 fully vaccinated.

It remains to be seen if the recent change in government will impact the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.