Travis County health authorities said they expect the Food & Drug Administration to expand authorization of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to include children 12 years and older within a week and encouraged parents to act quickly once the authorization comes through.
Pfizer's vaccine was first granted an emergency use authorization, or EUA, in December, allowing Americans age 16 and up to receive a shot. In April, Pfizer officially requested the FDA expand the EUA to include 12- to 15-year-olds after a Phase 3 clinical trial for that age group indicated safety and efficacy equal to that seen in adults, according to the company.
The New York Times reported May 3 that the FDA was expected to approve Pfizer's request by early next week. Austin-Travis County interim Health Authority Mark Escott on May 4 confirmed that expectation in a presentation to Austin and Travis County officials.
"We encourage parents of middle schoolers and high schoolers, as soon as that is approved, to sign up with vaccinators who are providing the Pfizer vaccine and get their children vaccinated—certainly, before the beginning of the next school year, but as soon as possible would be even better," Escott said.
