WASHINGTON, Oct 22, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine is more

than 90 percent effective in preventing symptomatic forms of the disease in
children aged 5 to 11, the company said in a document released Friday.

   The new data were published on the website of the Food and Drug
Administration, which has called an advisory panel of independent experts to
meet Tuesday to decide whether to authorize the vaccine in this age group.

   The analysis was based on around 2,250 trial participants with data
accruing until October 8, and most positive cases occurred when the Delta
variant was dominant in the US and globally.

   "VE (Vaccine Efficacy) against laboratory-confirmed symptomatic Covid-19
occurring at least 7 days after Dose 2 in evaluable participants without
evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was 90.7%," the document said.

   There were no cases of severe Covid and no cases of multisystem
inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious post viral
condition.

   There were no cases of myocarditis or pericarditis (heart inflammation or
inflammation around the heart) -- but there are not enough study volunteers
to be able to detect highly rare side effects, and male adolescents are
thought to be a higher risk group.

   This is the first time Pfizer has released an efficacy estimate for its
Covid vaccine in younger children. Its earlier press statement only said the
shot produced a robust immune response.

   The vaccine was tested with a 10 microgram dose, while older age groups
have received 30 micrograms.

   The administration of President Joe Biden has said it stands ready to roll
out shots for the country's 28 million 5 to 11-year-olds as soon as the
vaccine is authorized by science agencies.