Pfizer Says Vaccine Is Safe For Kids 5 To 11

Pfizer released good news Monday on the COVID-19 vaccine front. 

In a study with over 2,000 kids ages 5 to 11, Pfizer and Biontech officials said the vaccine was safe, well tolerated and showed robust neutralizing antibody responses.

The dosage for the children 5 to 11 is less than the dosage for those 12 and over. But it is a still a two-dose regimen taken 21 days apart.

This is the first pivotal trial of any COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12. Officials said they hope to submit this data to the FDA and other agencies as soon as possible.

"The risk of hospitalization and death is much lower in children who get COVID," said Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU Health's Chief COVID-19 officer. "But it's not zero and some kids get very sick, and they can also bring it home to adults."

Bratzler was excited about the data but knows some parents might be hesitant at first.

"I know there are a lot of parents out there that are waiting and will get their kids vaccinated and I know there are some parents that will take a step back wait and see," said Bratzler.

But kids can't get it just yet. The vaccine needs to get emergency use authorization from the FDA and then the CDC advisory panel will give the final guidance for administering the vaccine to this age group.

"I am going to say a month to six weeks at the maximum," said Bratzler. "It will be a very important step to reduce the case counts in Oklahoma to get as many children vaccinated as we possibly can."

There is a study for kids under the age of 5. Those results are expected to come out this year.