Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine could be authorized for adolescents 12-15 years old by early next week

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for administration to adolescents by early next week, according to a federal health official with knowledge of the agency’s plans.

The move would allow many American middle- and high-school students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 well before the start of the next school year, using a shot Pfizer claims demonstrated “100% efficacy” in children as young as 12 years old with side effects similar to those that have occurred in young adults.

An FDA spokesperson declined to comment on its anticipated approval of an amendment to Pfizer’s emergency use authorization, saying only that the regulator was “working to review this request as quickly and transparently as possible.”

Read more from CBS News.

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