FDA panel split on COVID-19 vaccines for children

Editor's Note

Members of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee during a June 10 meeting were split on whether COVID-19 vaccines should be granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for children under 12 years of age, the June 11 Regulatory Focus reports.

Some members said they support EUA to get the pediatric population vaccinated quickly to achieve herd immunity. Others said there is insufficient justification and safety data, and they cited declining COVID-19 cases and the low incidence of severe disease in children as reasons to avoid EUA.