Ochsner Hospital for Children in New Orleans is one of 24 sites around the country participating in a Pfizer COVID vaccine trial in children as young as 12 years old. Ochsner Principal Investigator, Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz, said a new vaccine must be tested on various age groups because the reactions and efficacy could be different.
“It has to be looked at not only in adults but in children if it is indicated for that age group,” said Garcia-Diaz.
Garcia-Diaz said 50-percent of participants will be given the vaccine in two doses, 21 days apart and the other half will receive placebos. The vaccine is the same one given to adults and kids between the ages of 12 to 17 are participating in the clinical trial.
“The goal is to enroll about 2,000 children altogether, and so our expectation is probably that we might be able to contribute somewhere around 80 to 100 kids,” said Garcia-Diaz.
Data from the Pfizer COVID vaccine trial for adults indicates a 95-percent efficacy rate from the virus. Garcia-Diaz said the efficacy rates on adolescents will be determined in the pediatric clinical trial that is expected to have enough data by June of next year.
“The adult indication would not apply to children, it’s just the way that is sort of works,” said Garcia-Diaz.
Moderna will also conduct a clinical trial among adolescents, enrollment has yet to be announced.
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