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Bardstown Researchers Call Results of Pfizer Trial in Kids Promising

A research facility in rural Kentucky is encouraged over new results of a study on the Pfizer vaccine in children. 

The pharmaceutical giant has announced its COVID-19 vaccine is 100 percent effective against the virus in children between the ages of 12 and 15. 

Kentucky Pediatric\Adult Research in Bardstown was the only clinic in the state to test Pfizer's vaccine on adolescents and itenrolled 66 participants.  Research Director Marty Osbourn says the efficacy rate is remarkable.

“It’s in a small selection of patients. We’ll see over time how accurate that is. I truly believe it’s accurate based on the results we have so far," Osbourn told WKU Public Radio. "It’s pretty amazing 100 percent of the patients who received the vaccine did not get symptomatic COVID.”

Although children are less likely to die from COVID-19, it’s still possible for them to get sick and spread the virus. Osbourn says vaccinating children will be key to ending the pandemic.

In a news release, Pfizer said it plans to present the research to the FDA in the coming weeks for emergency approval of the vaccine in children 12 to 15 years of age. The company hopes to have the vaccine available before the start of next school year.

The Pfizer vaccine is already approved for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Kentucky Pediatric\Adult Research will begin enrolling adolescents between five and 11 years old in clinical trials this summer.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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