Nearly unanimous vote clears the way for possible approval for emergency use next month, making nearly 30 million children eligible.

Independent advisers for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for children aged five to 11 – the first vaccine available for younger children in the US.

Of 18 members, 17 voted yes and one abstained.

Vaccines for children have been seen as crucial for protecting kids from the virus as well as slowing its spread, in addition to reducing the social and educational effects of school closing and attendance – and related economic concerns, such as caregivers’ ability to work. Read more at the Guardian.

I also reported throughout the day for the Guardian’s live news feed (parts one, two, three, four, and five here), and I contributed to a story on questions raised during the meeting.