Thomas Lo 15 receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the coronavirus disease COVID - 19 at Northwell Health's Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, U.S. May 13, 2021. Oct 26 Reuters - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's committee of outside experts will weigh in on the approval of Pfizer Inc PFE.N and BioNTech SE's COVID - 19 vaccine for emergency use in children aged 5-11.
The panel's vote to the FDA on Tuesday is an important regulatory step toward inoculating millions of children in the United States, where schools are largely open for in-person learning.
The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its outside experts, but usually does.
But with many parts of the world still waiting doses for more vulnerable people, the World Health Organisation has urged countries and companies that control the global supply of vaccines to prioritize supply to COVAX.
The following is a list of some countries that have approved or are considering vaccinating children:
On Oct. 18, the EU's medicines regulator said it had started evaluating the use of Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID 19 vaccine in 5 to 11-year-old children.
In June, Denmark said it would offer COVID - 19 shots to children aged 12-15 to boost its overall immunity against the virus.
France has started vaccinating those from 12 years upwards, provided they have parental consent.
In August Germany agreed to make vaccination available to all children aged 12 - 17. read more
Estonia could start vaccinating teenagers by the autumn, public broadcaster ERR reported, citing the head of the government's COVID - 19 council.
In mid-May, Hungary started vaccinating 16 to 18 year-olds, according to Xinhua news agency.
On May 31 in Italy, Pfizer approved extending the use of vaccine to 12 - 15 year olds.
In June, Lithuania's prime minister said the country could start vaccinating children from 12 years old, news site Delfi reported.
Spain began vaccinating children between 12 and 17 years old around two weeks before the academic year in September, the health minister said.
Swedish PM says children aged 12 - 15 will be offered COVID vaccine later this autumn. In July, Greece said that children aged 12-15 could be vaccinated against COVID - 19 with Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna shots. Helsinki in June said it would begin giving COVID - 19 vaccines to children aged 12 to 15 who are at risk of contracting a severe coronavirus infection. On July 27, Ireland lowered the age for COVID vaccination to 12 years. In September, the top medical advisers recommended that 12 to 15 year-olds receive a first dose of a COVID - 19 vaccine.
Switzerland approved vaccination of 12 to 15 year-olds with Pfizer shot on June 4, while Moderna's shot was approved for the age group in August.
San Marino has opened vaccinations for children aged 12 - 15 reported San Marino RTV, citing its Institute for Social Security.
In August, Israel began on Sunday to offer a COVID - 19 booster to children as young as 12.
The United Arab Emirates said in August rolled out China's Sinopharm 1099. HK COVID - 19 vaccine to children aged 3 - 17.
On June 28, Indonesia recommended China's Sinovac vaccine for children aged 12 - 17. read more
An advisory committee to the Indian regulator recommended emergency use of Bharat Biotech's COVID - 19 shot in the 2 to 18 age group. The regulator's nod is awaited.
New Zealand's medicines regulator has provisionally approved use of Pfizer's vaccine for 12 - 15 year olds, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on June 21.
Australia said on Sept. 12 it will expand its COVID - 19 vaccination drive to include around one million children aged 12-15.
China approved emergency use of Sinovac vaccine on June 5 for those between three and 17. read more
Hong Kong said on 3 June it would open its vaccine scheme to children over the age of 12.
From 1 June, Singapore opened its vaccination programme to adolescents aged 12 - 18.
On May 28 Japan approved the use of Pfizer's vaccine for those aged 12 and above.
On May 26 the Philippines decided to allow Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for emergency use in children aged 12 - 15.
In July, Jordan began vaccinating children aged 12 years and older against COVID - 19.
The COVID - 19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech will be the only vaccine used in Mexico for at-risk children aged 12 - 17.
On June 11 Brazil approved the use of Pfizer's vaccine for children over 12.
On Sept. 6, Chile approved the COVID - 19 vaccine produced by China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd SVA.O for use in children over 6 years of age. Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking clearance for a 10 microgram dose version of the vaccine in children aged 5 - 11, versus 30 mg for everyone over the age of 12. The shot has been cleared for ages 12-15 since May and authorized for everyone over 16 since December. In early May, Canada approved the use of Pfizer's vaccine for use in children aged 12 - 15. On Oct. 18, Health Canada received a submission from Pfizer Biontech to authorize the use of shot in children between 5 and 11 years of age.
Cuba's vaccination campaign includes children as young as two.
On Sept. 13, El Salvador cleared the use of COVID - 19 vaccine in 6 to 11 year-old children. https: bit.ly 30 RiKe 7 South Africa will start vaccinating children between the ages of 12 and 17 next week using the Pfizer vaccine.