Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine authorized for teens ages 12-15

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in children as young as 12—and vaccinations of the younger cohort could begin next week. 

In a trial of 2,260 adolescents aged 12-15, the effectiveness and mild side effects were “consistent with those reported in clinical trial participants 16 years of age and older,” the FDA reports. Pfizer-BioNTech was already authorized for teens over 16; Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are authorized for 18+. 

The next steps: The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet tomorrow, May 12, to review the data. “If the committee endorses the vaccine for that age group, as expected, immunizations in theory can begin immediately,” says the New York Times.

With six months of real-world data available, Pfizer requested full FDA approval last week. The process may take a few months, but could eventually alleviate vaccine hesitancy. 

Listen: Voices of Vaccine Hesitancy 

Other vaccine manufacturers plan to request authorization for use in youngsters, too.Moderna announced last week that trials among 12-17-year-olds showed 96% effectiveness and no serious side effects. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are all planning pediatric trials, as well. 

Vaccines for a younger cohort mean a return to “school, camps, sleepovers, and hangouts with friends,”says the New York Times—and bring us closer to herd immunity, the LA Times notes. 

Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? Visit www.COVIDVaccineFacts.org to get answers.

More Health Care News:

The Wall Street Journal (Opinion): Patent busting won’t help vaccinate the world faster
“The solution is to ease restrictions on exporting shots and build more production capacity,” write Dr. Luciana Borio, former director for medical and biodefense preparedness at the National Security Council and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. 

Reuters: WHO classifies India variant as being of global concern
“The B.1.617 variant is the fourth variant to be designated as being of global concern and requiring heightened tracking and analysis.”

BIO member Amyris announced it will donate its safe, sustainable, biobased hand sanitizer to families living in poverty—another way the synthetic biology company is stepping up to help people in need during the pandemic.

Using synthetic biology (or synbio), Amyris turns renewable sugarcane into a replica of squalene, a skin moisturizer our bodies create naturally. 

The product, called squalane (with an “a” instead of an “e”), is used to create vaccine adjuvants, baby-safe and sustainable hand sanitizer, and even Reese Witherspoon’s favorite beauty products. 

Now, Pipette, the company’s clean baby and mothers skincare brand,is partnering with non-profit Baby2Baby to donate 200K units of hand sanitizer to families living in poverty—helping them stay safe even when they can’t social distance. 

Over the last year,Pipette has donated tens of thousands of hand sanitizers to frontline health care workers in some of the U.S. cities hit hardest by COVID, while Baby2Baby has distributed 85 million essential items including diapers, formula, and food to more than 1 million children across the country. 

What they’re saying: “Our mission at Pipette is to provide clean and effective solutions to keep families safe, happy, and healthy—and protecting children from getting sick right now is of utmost importance to that mission,” said Daya Fields, President of Pipette. 

Do you want to help? Through May 15, round up any purchase made on Pipettebaby.com and donate directly to Baby2Baby. 

Want to know more about Amyris? Beth Bannerman, the company’s chief engagement and sustainability officer, will speak during BIO Digital on June 16—get the details and register now.


More Agriculture and Environment News:

AG Daily: Ethanol production and use shown to cut GHG emissions in half
“A new analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory concludes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from corn ethanol are now 44 percent to 52 percent lower than gasoline, thanks to improvements in the efficiency of both corn and ethanol production.” Read the full report here.

President Biden’s Tuesday: A virtual meeting with governors of Ohio, Utah, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, and New Mexico is expected to cover ways to get more people vaccinated.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The Senate is expected to vote on the confirmation of Andrea Palm as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. Palm was previously head of Wisconsin’s health department. An additional vote may take place on moving forward Chiquita Brooks-LaSure’s nomination to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (H/T POLITICO Pulse on both.) Dr. Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky are slated to participate in a Senate HELP Committee hearing on the COVID-19 response.