At what age did Pfizer Inc. receive approval to test its vaccine in the U.S.?

Pfizer Inc. received approval to test its COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents aged 12 years and older. This decision was significant because it marked a critical step towards vaccinating younger populations, thereby aiming to control the spread of the virus among children and teenagers who were previously not eligible for vaccination. The clinical trials conducted on this age group demonstrated that the vaccine was safe and effective, leading to this approval by regulatory authorities.

Testing vaccines in younger populations is crucial as it lays the foundation for broader public health strategies and enables parents, guardians, and schools to better protect children from COVID-19. The approval at age 12 reflects the importance of ensuring that vaccinations can be extended to a younger demographic as part of a comprehensive effort to achieve herd immunity and keep schools and communities safe.