Pfizer's new vaccine for children aged five to 11 could be ready as early as November pending approval from federal regulatory health agencies, White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients said on Thursday.

The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled time to review the Pfizer/BionNTech application for emergency use with its advisory panel at the end of October, to be followed by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mr Zients told CNN.

Once the authorisation is complete, Mr Zients said: “We are ready. We have the supply. We’re working with states to set up convenient locations for parents and kids to get vaccinated including pediatricians’ offices and community sites.”

Asked if he thought vaccines could begin before the US Thanksgiving Day holiday at the end of November, Mr Zients said, “Up to the FDA and CDC scientific processes, but yes it could.” – Reuters