With the timeline for adults to get the COVID-19 vaccine becoming clearer, the focus is starting to shift to younger Americans.
Moderna has started testing a vaccine candidate on children aged six months to 11 years in the U.S. and Canada.
“This pediatric study will help us assess the potential safety and immunogenicity of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate in this important younger age population,” said Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel in a statement.
The study, which is being done in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, plans to enroll 6,750 children and will center on two shots, just like the adult vaccine.
Moderna’s vaccine, like Johnson and Johnson, is currently only authorized for use on adults 18 and older. Pfizer’s vaccine can be used on anyone 16 years old and up. Pfizer and Moderna both already have studies underway for children 12 and older and are awaiting results.
There is no timetable for either study at this point, but logistically, older children (in middle- and high school) could be given the vaccine first, then younger school children.
The study on pediatric patients under 11 is testing the immune response to several dosages, as well as a placebo. Participants will be followed through 12 months after the second vaccination. Kids in the study will get the second injection roughly 28 days after the first.
Moderna’s stock was up more than 6% to $153 in midday trading Tuesday.
Parents who wish to enroll their children in the trial can visit www.kidcovestudy.com for more information and to check their child’s eligibility.