EU brings forward Pfizer/BioNTech COVID shot for younger children to Dec 13

FILE PHOTO: People queue for vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outside a doctor's practice, in the district of Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -The European Union-wide rollout of Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine version for five- to 11-year-old children will begin Dec 13, one week earlier than previously planned, Germany's health ministry said on Wednesday.

"Given the current pandemic situation, this is good news for parents and children. Many are awaiting this eagerly," acting health minister Jens Spahn said in the statement.