Moderna Asks FDA to Approve Their COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids
Moderna's research showed it was as effective in teens as it is in adults.
According to NewsWest 9, Moderna submitted a request today (June 10, 2021) to the FDA to approve emergency use of it's COVID-19 vaccine to kids ages 12-17.
While adult vaccinations have slowed down, teens are the focus now and Pfizer already has approval for their vaccine to be used on 12-17 year old kids and Moderna's research has showed their vaccine is as effective in teens as it is in adults with the same mild, temporary side effects.
“We are pleased to announce that we have submitted for an emergency use authorization for our COVID-19 vaccine with the FDA for use in adolescents in the United States,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, in a statement. “We are encouraged that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was highly effective at preventing COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection in adolescents. We have already filed for authorization with Health Canada and the European Medicines Agency and we will file with regulatory agencies around the world for this important younger age population. We remain committed to helping to end the COVID-19 pandemic.”
With an abundance of supplies of the vaccine in the U.S., teens were eager to get the Pfizer vaccine after the FDA authorized it for their age group.
The push is to get as many teens and kids vaccinated before the next school year starts.
Currently Moderna and Pfizer are testing children as young as 6-months old with results expected by the fall.