US FDA authorizes Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in kids 5 to 11

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday paved the way for children ages five to 11 to get Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA cleared kid-size doses â€" just a third of the amount given to teens and adults â€" for emergency use, and up to 28 million more American children could be eligible for vaccinations as early as next week.

One more regulatory hurdle remains: On Tuesday, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make more detailed recommendations on which youngsters should get vaccinated, with a final decision by the agency's director expected shortly afterwards.

"With this vaccine kids can go back to something that's better than being locked at home on remote schooling, not being able to see their friends," said Dr. Kawsar Talaat of Johns Hopkins University. "The vaccine will protect them and also protect our communities."

A few countries have begun using other COVID-19 vaccines in children under 12, including China, which just began vaccinations for three-year olds. But many that use the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech are watching the U.S. decision, and European regulators just began considering the companies' kid-size doses.

A corresponding decision from Canadian regulators will not come before the middle or end of November, a senior official said on Friday.

"I think we're still at least a few weeks away from a final decision," Health Canada Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma said at a public briefing.

WATCH | Canadian decision not expected before mid-November:

Chief medical adviser says we are weeks away from final authorization of COVID-19 shots for children 5-11 years old4 hours agoDr. Supriya Sharma, Heath Canada's chief medical adviser, says a decision is likely to come by the middle or end of November and the department does encourage children to get the flu shot. 2:15

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