Pfizer

Pfizer plans to submit emergency-use authorization requests in September, with one covering children 2 to 5 years old and a second applying to ages 5 to 11.

Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, said the decision will help children return to a normal life. The FDA said this week it was also expected to approve the Pfizer shot for young teens.

FDA action could lead to the two-dose shots being available for younger teens before the beginning of the next school year.

Only slightly more first doses of Pfizer were administered at the FEMA-run vaccination sites on Monday than single-dose Johnson & Johnson shots.

The sites had been offering the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the federal government recommended a pause this past week.

The head of the European Union's executive arm has announced plans for a major contract extension for COVID-19 vaccines with Pfizer.

Get the first vaccine you're offered: that's the public health message. Each COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe disease, but some Americans want to choose the vaccine they get.

The FEMA=supported centers will still provide second Pfizer doses to individuals who previously scheduled to do so after receiving their first dose at the sites.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose and was found to be 100 percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

President Biden has said he plans to invoke the Defense Production Act to provide more COVID vaccines, but forcing companies to gear up production won’t provide much-needed doses anytime soon.