Switzerland, on June 4, has given a green signal to inoculate the age group of 12 to 15 years with shots from Pfizer and BioNTEch. The decision has come ahead of the country’s plan to vaccinating younger people who are yet to hit adulthood starting as early as July.
“Swissmedic has carefully tested the indication-extension application submitted by Pfizer,” stated the regulator after approving the temporary shot authorisation for 12-15-year-olds.
Pfizer, clinically suitable for people over 16 years, must be given in two doses after clinical trials showed about 100% efficiency in the younger age group, Swissmedic told Reuters.
The United Kingdom (UK)’s regulator on June 4 also approved the vaccine for the age group between 12 and 15 years. The move came after the European Medicines Agency decided to inoculate children with Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine in May.
American drugmaker Moderna is also preparing to ask for approval to vaccinate kids after recent data indicated its safety and effectiveness.
Switzerland administration has said that they are hopeful of vaccinating 12 to 15-year kids starting this summer to attend the 2021-2022 academic year in schools, reducing a potential circulation source for the virus ahead of a possible third wave of coronavirus in the following winter.
“The more people are inoculated against Covid-19, and children are part of this, the fewer viruses will transmit, and the less danger will be there to affect the risk groups,” said the Swiss Federal Health Ministry in response to questions about its strategy for children.
Switzerland has successfully vaccinated 5,151,927, including 3,243,488 adults who received their first jabs as of June 4, as per the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) data.
