Moderna has on Wednesday revealed that they are seeking approval from Food and Drug Administration in the US for the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine in children under the age of 6-years.
The company released a recent clinical trial data that revealed that the vaccine works well in children as it has worked in adults since its formulation.
Moderna further revealed that the children just like adults will receive two doses of the vaccine with the first one having an efficiency rate of 38% and the second one going as higher as 44%.
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If approved, the vaccine will be the first one in the US for children under the age of six years who have been eagerly waiting for the same vaccine for prevention purpose.
Rival companies Pfizer and BioNTech from Germany had been authorized to produce vaccine for children but their first trials in children under the age of five years revealed a lower immune than that in adults. The trials are expected to be conducted for the third time.
“Given the need for a vaccine against COVID-19 in infants and young children we are working with the U.S. FDA and regulators globally to submit these data as soon as possible,” said Stephane Bancel, Moderna CEO
Despite the success rate of Moderna vaccine, the company is not sure how many US parents will allow their children to get the shot as only 27% of children between the age of 5-11 years has received the jab.
US regulators have also requested to have more time and data to prove that the vaccine will not have any side effects such as heart inflammation in children.