Moderna coronavirus vaccine safe and effective for youth age 12-18, company reports

Moderna’s mRNA coronavirus vaccine was shown to be 100% effective in youth aged 12-18 with no significant safety concerns, the company announced Tuesday.

Out of a study of 3,700 youth participants, none in the vaccine group got the coronavirus, compared to four cases in the placebo group.

“It is particularly exciting to see that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.

The company also reported an efficacy of 93% two weeks after just the first dose. Side effects were similar to ones experienced by adults and no significant safety concerns were identified.

Moderna plans to submit data to regulators globally in early June. Shortly after data is submitted to the Food and Drug Administration, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention commission will meet to vote on whether to approve Moderna vaccination in youth.

All participants will continue to be monitored for a year after their second dose.

Moderna stock surged about 5 points Thursday to $169.26 a share.

Although children and teens are much less likely to become severely ill with coronavirus, they can still become infected and transmit the disease to others.

Children represent about 14% of the nation’s coronavirus cases. At least 316 have died in the U.S., according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pfizer’s mRNA coronavirus vaccine was recently approved for kids age 12-15 and the CDC has reported vaccine uptake among that population has been good.

Vaccine companies such as Pfizer and Moderna will continue clinical trials in younger children and babies with more vaccine eligibility for kids expected this fall.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3hUxRKb