CHARLOTTE, NC – Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is now one step closer to becoming available to children ages five to 11.
On Tuesday, an independent FDA advisory committee voted to recommend the shot for emergency use.
“I think we all have been feeling the urgency for a vaccine for children for quite some time,” said Dr. David Kimberli.
He is the Co-Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division ath the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
If given final approval by the CDC next week, doses of the Pfizer vaccine could be distributed as soon as the first week of November.
Data shows the vaccine for children is 90.7 percent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 in that age group.
“One shouldn’t actually discount the fact that kids can get pretty sick with covid-19. Sadly, more than 700 children have died of Covid since this pandemic began,” said Dr. Francis Collins, the NIH Director.
“This would be one significant step forward in getting our country in a better place,” continued Dr. Collins.
The FDA says the shots carry a “theoretical” rare risk for the age group of inflammation of the heart muscle and lining.
Doctors say the risk of Covid-19 is higher if enough virus is circulating.
Meanwhile, people in Mecklenburg county are lining up at health clinics to get their booster shots.
“I don’t want to be responsible for getting someone else sick,” said Kelly Stevens, a Charlotte resident.
People over the age of 65 or those who are immunocompromised are getting their third jab.
“I feel very good about it. I couldn’t wait to get in here and get it. My wife told me don’t come home without it,” said Reginald Thompson.
So far, Novant Health has administered more than 24,000 booster shots.
Health officials encourage people to get their vaccinations ahead of the holidays.
“While we have seen improvement in our case numbers, we can’t yet become complacent,” said Dr. David Priest with Novant Health.