As in many countries, it is the last age group that still does not have access to this immunization.
In two votes, the 21 experts unanimously considered that the benefits of vaccinating this group outweigh the risks.
Based on these favorable opinions, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), whose decisions are an international reference, could give its official authorization soon.
After that, some 10 million doses would be sent immediately to the different regions of the country, which would be followed by millions more in the following weeks, the US government reported.
Vaccination could begin the week of June 20, once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave the go-ahead. CDC experts will meet on Friday and Saturday.
Dosage and effectiveness
The dose has been adapted: a quarter of that supplied to adults for the Moderna vaccine (25 micrograms instead of 100) and a tenth for the case of Pfizer (3 micrograms against 30).
The main difference between the two products is the number of injections required for immunization: Moderna’s vaccine will continue to be given in two doses, one month apart. A representative of the company clarified, however, that studies will be carried out on a third party as reinforcement.