https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/10/07/pfizer-asks-us-to-allow-covid-shots-for-kids-ages-5-to-11/ > By LAURAN NEERGAARD and JENNIFER McDERMOTT > Pfizer asked the U.S. government Thursday to allow use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 in what would be a major expansion that could combat an alarming rise in serious infections in youngsters and help schools stay open.