A COVID-19 vaccine for the smallest patients could be on the way.
Moderna says studies of their pediatric COVID-19 vaccine show kids under six developed high levels of virus-fighting antibodies.
The two-dose vaccine is a quarter of the one given to adults. AHN Pediatrician Dr. Joseph Aracri says if the vaccine is approved, his recommendations will come on a case by case basis.
“We look at how the disease affects the individual child. We also have to assess family members. Are their high-risk family members in the house? Does the child attend daycare?”
The company says it plans to submit a request for authorization to the FDA for the vaccine in kids as young as six months old.
Moderna believes that if the vaccine is approved on time, it could be available as early as this summer.
The vaccine is one-fourth the dose of Moderna's shot for adults. About 18 million children under five are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer's pediatric vaccine is available for kids five and up.
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