Children aged 6 months to 4 years can now receive the Pfizer vaccine

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the use of vaccine against COVID-19from pharmaceutical Pfizer, in children between 6 months and 4 years of age, last Friday (16). With this, the immunizing agent can now be applied in the country for this age group.

After approval, the Ministry of Health informed in a note, on Sunday (18), that it will make the vaccine available to this public. “The Ministry of Health has a contract with Pfizer to supply all vaccines approved by Anvisa and included in the National Plan for the Operationalization of Vaccination against COVID-19 (PNO). If the recommendation is approved by the technical area of ​​the folder, the vaccines will be made available throughout Brazil, as already happens with the other age groups”, informed the folder.

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According to Anvisa, authorization for the use of the immunizer from 6 months of age came after “a technical analysis of data and clinical studies conducted by the laboratory”. Also according to the agency, the evaluation of the technical team, which began on August 1st, believes that The Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective also for children in this age group.

How will vaccination work for children aged 6 months to 4 years?

In an official statement, Anvisa clarified that the immunizer has different dosage and composition for children between 6 months and 4 years of those used for later age groups, which were previously approved.

“The vaccine formulation authorized today should be applied in three doses of 0.2 mL (equivalent to 3 micrograms). The initial two doses should be given three weeks apart, followed by a third dose given at least eight weeks after the second dose.

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In order to differentiate vaccines for different age groups, the lid of the immunizer bottle suitable for children aged 6 months to 4 years will have a wine color. The weak with doses for those aged 5 to 11 years will have the color orange, while the purple is intended for vaccines for children over 12 years old. See in more detail below:

The vials of COVID-19 vaccines for children will be differentiated by color to ensure the correct application for each age group. Photo: Anvisa/Reproduction

According to Anvisa, the vaccine has 12 months of validity, when stored at a temperature between -90ºC and -60ºC. Once removed from storage, the closed bottle can be stored in a refrigerator between 2ºC and 8ºC for a period of 10 weeks, not exceeding the original expiration date.