Pfizer applies to FDA for emergency approval of its vaccine for children

Pfizer Pharmaceutical and its partner company BioNTech have asked U.S. regulators to approve emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. Pfizer made the announcement in a recent tweet.

Pfizer made the application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as COVID-19 cases reached a peak in children in September. The FDA has set a date of Oct. 26 for outside advisors to meet and discuss the Pfizer application, making it possible for kids to begin receiving the vaccines shortly afterward. A rapid authorization could help mitigate a potential surge of cases this fall, with schools already open nationwide, Pfizer said.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was authorized in kids aged 12-15 roughly a month after the companies filed for authorization.