Moderna has released data claiming its COVID vaccine is both safe and effective for children ages 6 to 11. Dr. Daniel Hsia who is overseeing a section of the Moderna trial in children at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center said Moderna is expected to seek emergency use authorization soon and the 50-microgram dosage used in children is comparably effective.
“They basically are saying that the antibodies to COVID that were produced in the children in this age group were pretty much the same as in adults who received 100-micrograms,” said Hsia.
As for side effects with the Moderna vaccine in children, Hsia said they are comparable to those seen in adults, like muscle aches, fatigue, and low-grade fever.
“We’ve had fever up to 102 in some kids, but that fever quickly resolved and all of them have resolved in 24 hours or less,” said Hsia.
Pennington is one of three healthcare centers in Louisiana taking part in the Moderna clinical trial for children. Hsia said their participation is vital in helping curb COVID cases among children which are currently responsible for 25-percent of daily cases right now.
“I really feel like unless we do this that’s a place where COVID can still hide and still be spread amongst children. I really think that’s why we really have to have kids vaccinated,” said Hsia.
Hsia said they expect to be submitting data by mid-November and depending on the FDA Advisory panel’s schedule for the holidays, they hope to have EUA by the first of 2022 or sooner for the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 to 11.
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