Thread by @ezraklein

Pfizer's submitted data says 2 doses works for very young kids.

FDA pushing Pfizer to test three doses to get a stronger response for older kids suggest safety isn't the issue.

So why not let parents who want to vaccinate their children, start vaccinating their children?

This is what an emergency authorization is supposed to be, as I understand it.

It's not full authorization.

But because there's no alternative treatment, and the safety data is sound and efficacy data promising, you can get one, if you want one.

Who's the "we" here? It's not that FDA can't proceed forward with its process. They are!

It's that parents can't proceed forward. And what's maddening is 2 doses work for very young kids, and they clearly think 3 will work for older kids!

statnews.com/2022/02/11/pfi…

But instead of having the option to get started on a vaccine protocol that takes weeks to build antibodies, we're just going to wait for the Omicron wave to infect kids everywhere and then give this authorization to start vaccinations.

As the parent of one kid who Pfizer's data says 2 shots would work for, but the FDA won't let me give him those shots, and another kid who they're probably going to say 3 shots work for, but the FDA says I can't get him started, I can't say I'm feeling reassured.

And look, if the FDA saw something that suggested a safety issue, then they should say that.

But that's not what they're saying. And they're testing *more* shots, not halting the tests.

Giving parents good information here and letting them make a decision does not seem crazy.

Relevant: vox.com/22893078/fda-c…