Pfizer-BioNTech, FDA postpone meeting on request for approval of COVID vaccine for children under 5

Pfizer-BioNTech on Friday postponing its application to the FDA to expand the use of its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years old.

The midday announcement was followed by the Food and Drug Administration saying it is postponing a scheduled Feb. 15 meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee as "new data have recently emerged" regarding the emergency-use authorization request.

The pharmaceutical firms said they want to wait for more data on a three-dose series of the vaccine because it believes that level of inoculation "may provide a higher level of protection in this age group," according to NBC.

The decision means that vaccines for the youngest age group will not be available in the coming weeks.

Data on the third dose is reportedly expected in early April. However, Pfizer-BioNTech asked the FDA earlier this month to authorize the first two doses, with a plan to submit additional data in the coming weeks on a third dose, NBC also reports.