Moderna said Tuesday that its COVID-19 shot strongly protects kids as young as 12 years-old, potentially putting it on track to become the second vaccination option for kids against the virus.
Moderna aims to be next, planning on submitting its data to the Food and Drug Administration and other global regulators early next month.
The company studied more than 3,700 12- to 17-year-olds. Early findings showed the vaccine triggered the same signs of immune protection in kids as it does in adults, and similar temporary side effects such as sore arms, headache and fatigue.
There were no cases of COVID 19 in kids who had received the shot, compared with four in kids receiving the dummy shot. In a press release, the company also said the vaccine appeared 93% effective two weeks after the first dose.
Although children are significantly less likely to get seriously ill from COVID 19, they make up about 14% of the nation’s coronavirus cases. At least 316 have died in the U.S. alone, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have begun testing on younger children, from age 11 down to 6-month-old babies. Experts expect results in the fall.