Moderna COVID shot could be used in US children within weeks

Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel believes his company’s Covid-19 vaccine will be authorized for teens in the coming weeks, and potentially for children ages 6 through 11 before the end of the year.

KEY FACTS

• Bancel told on Wednesday that based on discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he believes the shot will be authorized for 12- to 17-year-olds “within weeks.”
• Moderna plans to apply soon for approval of the vaccine in children ages 6 through 11, with the hopes of having shots in arms “this side of Christmas,” Bancel said.
• The company aims to publish data from its vaccine study of children ages 6 months to 6 years by the end of 2021 or early 2022, Bancel said.
• Moderna applied for authorization for teen administration in June after trial results showed no Covid-19 cases among vaccinated adolescents.
• The company is in talks with a World Health Organization-backed South African vaccine manufacturing hub to secure long-term licensing of its vaccine.

As of now, the Pfizer vaccine is the only jab approved for adolescents 12 and up. The New York Times’ vaccine tracker reports that 57% of children ages 12-17 have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Oct. 26. Forbes