Pfizer vaccine found to be 100% effective in trials for ages 12-15

New York, New York – A final-stage trial of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccination showed a 100% success rate in kids between the ages of 12-15, increasing the possibility for school-aged children to be vaccinated by the fall.

Pfizer technicians and researchers have been spearheading clinical trials in efforts to get the vaccine into more arms globally.
Pfizer technicians and researchers have been spearheading clinical trials in efforts to get the vaccine into more arms globally.  © IMAGO / Reporters

Pfizer's vaccine had already been found to be 90% effective at preventing infection two weeks after receiving a second, final dose, and 80% two weeks following a single dose among nearly 4,000 health care workers, first responders and other essential workers across six states.

Researchers now hope to submit their new findings to drug regulators in the US and Europe to increase vaccine production and open up eligibility.

The latest update is a victory for those pushing to open schools to students for in-person learning by the time the fall semester starts up.

In a study of 2,260 adolescents, Pfizer and partner BioNTech issued a joint statement saying the vaccine not only created antibodies in the participants, it did so at higher rates than in adults.

The vaccine has been approved by the FDA for use in those 16 years old and older, but has yet to receive the green light for use in kids and pre-teens.

Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer Inc. Albert Bourla is hopeful its recent findings can help expedite the approval process.

"We share the urgency to expand the authorization of our vaccine to use in younger populations and are encouraged by the clinical trial data from adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15" said Bourla.

The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told MSNBC that the Biden administration is allowing the FDA to handle the legalities behind the approval process, calling the recent findings "good news".

Cover photo: IMAGO / Reporters

More on Coronavirus: