UK approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12-15, says it's safe for use

Britain's top medicine regulator on Friday announced that it has extended approval of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech so it can be used on 12- to 15-year-olds.

LONDON: Britain's top medicine regulator on Friday announced that it has extended approval of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech so it can be used on children aged 12 to 15 years. "We have carefully reviewed clinical trial data in children aged 12 to 15 years and have concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in this age group and that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh any risk," June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said. Dr June Raine said the safety of the vaccine in children aged between 12 to 15 years would be carefully monitored. "No extension to an authorisation would be approved unless the expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness have been met," she said.