Pfizer asks FDA to allow vaccine in 12-15 year olds

Study suggests vaccines reduce risk for those who already had COVID-19, and health officials call on White House to shift allocation of doses to surge states

Pfizer on Friday asked the FDA to expand the Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to 12-15 year olds. It already is authorized for emergency use in those 16 and older. The company published data last month showing the vaccine is highly effective and safe in this age group.

The White House says the disruption caused by problems at a Baltimore factory that was making Johnson & Johnson vaccines will delay J&J’s delivery of doses until later in April. However, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeffrey Zients said the company expected to meet its commitment to deliver 80 million doses by the end of May. About 20 million doses of the single-shot J&J vaccine have already been distributed. J&J has now taken over the Baltimore plant from a contractor and working with FDA for authorization to proceed.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and many public health experts are trying to persuade the Biden administration to “surge” vaccine supplies to the hard-hit state. However, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeffrey Zients told reporters Friday that the administration would continue to allocate vaccine doses based on population. The federal government is sending additional people and other resources to help in Michigan and other hot spots.

If you’ve already had COVID-19, a single dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will significantly boost immunity against the B.1.351 (South Africa) strain, according to a small study in the journal Science by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington.

As variants multiply, the risk for the unvaccinated goes up, according to experts quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Trump appointees “celebrated” when they succeeded in altering CDC scientific findings and recommendations, according documents obtained by the Washington Post. One example: the CDC report on COVID-19 at a Georgia summer camp was changed so that instead of saying the findings were “critical for developing guidance for schools,” it noted that there was “limited data” on the spread of COVID-19 among young people.

Have a good, safe weekend.