The Heat: Pfizer seeks U.S. approval of first coronavirus vaccine for children under 5

The Heat

Mike Walter

Mike Walter

Published February 2, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Updated February 2, 2022 at 3:27 PM

The Omicron subvariant BA.2 is more contagious, but those vaccinated are less likely to spread it.

That’s according to a new study in Denmark. Here in the United States — the daily death toll from Covid-19 rose to an average of more than 24-hundred over the previous week. That’s up 39% over the past two weeks — the highest level in about a year, according to Johns Hopkins University. But some parts of the country are seeing encouraging signs, with cases and hospitalizations declining. And then there’s this – Pfizer is seeking emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the first coronavirus vaccine for children under 5.

To discuss the latest developments: 

  • Chris Smith is a consulting Virologist at the University of Cambridge and co-presenter of “The Naked Scientists” podcast.
  • Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is senior director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council and an infectious disease expert.
  • Wilmot James is a former member of the South African parliament and Shadow Health Minister. He’s currently a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy.
  • William Haseltine is the chair and president of ACCESS Health International, and author of “Variants! The Shape-Shifting Challenge of COVID-19.”

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