Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine found to be much less affective in preventing infection in children aged 5 to 11: NYT

The coronavirus vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech is much less effective in preventing infection in children ages 5 to 11 years than in older adolescents or adults, according to a large new set of data collected by health officials in New York State — a finding that has deep ramifications for these children and their parents. 

The Pfizer vaccine is the only Covid shot authorized for that age group in the United States. The study from researchers at the New York State Department of Health found that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection among children 5 to 11 declined from 68 percent to just 12 percent over the period of Dec. 13 to Jan. 30.  

365,502 children aged 5 to 11 years between Dec. 13, 2021, and Jan. 31, 2022, were tested during the height of the Omicron surge.