Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine shows 100% efficacy in young adolescents

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq:BNTX), on 31 March 2021,  updated the market that their COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 demonstrated 100% efficacy and strong antibody responses in a Phase 3 trial in adolescents 12-15 years of age.

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With experts highlighting that vaccinating children is vital to achieving herd immunity, this update comes as important positive news.

DO READ: Experts believe vaccinating children is key to achieving herd immunity

Top-line findings from pivotal Phase 3 trial in children

The companies stated that the vaccine was well-tolerated and exceeded the efficacy recorded earlier in vaccinated participants aged 16-25 years. These are top-line findings from a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, which is performed on 2,260 adolescents.

Interestingly, Pfizer and BioNTech plan to submit the trial findings to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a requested amendment to the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of BNT162b2.

Also, the companies will submit data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for EU Conditional Marketing Authorization for COMIRNATY® to expand use in children aged 12-15 years as soon as possible.

Moreover, the companies will continue monitoring all the participants for long-term protection as well as safety for an additional two years after the administration of the second dose.

Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, commented:

Phase 3 clinical trial information

• In the trial, 2,260 participants aged between 12 to 15 years were enrolled in the US.
• Vaccination with BNT162b2 stimulated the neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrated robust immunogenicity in a subset of adolescents one month after administering the second dose.
• Further, BNT162b2 was well-tolerated, with side effects remaining the same as those seen in 16 to 25 years participants.

Phase 1/2/3 Study 6 months-11 years old Children

Recently, the two partners commenced dosing in a global Phase 1/2/3 clinical trial with the vaccine administered to the first healthy children.  

In this clinical trial, the companies will further evaluate BNT162b2’s safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in the participants of 6 months to 11 years.

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The duo disclosed that the trial is evaluating the vaccine on a two-dose schedule (almost 21 days apart) in three age groups-

• Children aged 5 to 11 years.
• Children aged 2 to 5 years
• Children aged 6 months to 2 years.