Moderna said in the coming weeks it would ask regulators in the U.S. and Europe to authorize two small-dose shots for youngsters younger than 6.
- Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers, the company announced Wednesday -- and if regulators agree it could mean a chance to finally start vaccinating the littlest kids by summer.
The nation’s 18 million children under 5 are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination. Competitor Pfizer currently offers kid-sized doses for school-age children and full-strength shots for those 12 and older.
The younger the child, the smaller the dose being tested. Moderna enrolled about 6,900 kids under 6 — including babies as young as 6 months — in a study of the 25-microgram doses. They developed levels of antibodies just as strong as young adults who get full-strength shots, the company said. While the study wasn’t large enough to detect very rare side effects, Moderna said the small doses were safe and that mild fevers, like those associated with other common pediatric vaccines, were the main reaction.
Parents may find it confusing that Moderna is seeking to vaccinate the youngest children before it’s cleared to vaccinate teens. While other countries already have allowed Moderna’s shots to be used in children as young as 6, the U.S. has limited its vaccine to adults. A Moderna request to expand its shots to 12- to 17-year-olds has been stalled for months.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Moderna says low-dose COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, young childrenModerna has announced has a COVID-19 vaccine that works in babies, toddlers and young children.
Read more »
Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine works for kids under 6If regulators agree, it could mean a chance to finally start vaccinating the littlest kids by summer.
Read more »
Moderna expands COVID-19 vaccines to treat related illnessesModerna said Tuesday that it would expand its COVID-19 vaccine to treat related illnesses.
Read more »
Moderna says its Covid-19 vaccine performs as well in children as it does in adultsModerna announced interim results of its Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 6 on Wednesday.
Read more »
Moderna Says Its Covid-19 Vaccine Performs As Well In Children As It Does In AdultsBased on the data, Moderna said it will ask the US Food and Drug Administration to authorize the use of the vaccine in this younger age group in the coming weeks.
Read more »
White House press secretary Jen Psaki positive for COVID-19, won’t travel to Europe with BidenWhite House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that she has tested positive again for COVID-19.
Read more »