UK approves Pfizer jab for use in 12-15-year-olds

Adarshabarta Desk:

The UK has approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12-15, saying it is safe and effective in this age group and the benefits outweigh the risks.

The MHRA said it had carried out a “rigorous review” of the vaccine in adolescents. The UK’s vaccines committee will now decide whether children should get the jab. The Pfizer vaccine is already approved for use in people aged 16 and over.

Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the safety of the vaccine in 12-15 year olds 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.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) must now advise government on whether this age group should be vaccinated as part of the UK rollout.

Source: BBC