EU analyzes authorization of Moderna’s vaccine for children between 6 and 17 years of age

New York.- The Food and Drug Administration’s committee of independent vaccine experts is meeting Tuesday to discuss Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for children ages 6 to 17. Until now, Moderna’s vaccines have been licensed only for adults.

Committee members will review and vote on whether to recommend the company’s two-dose vaccine for children 6 to 11 years of age at half the potency of the adult version, and for children 12 to 17 years of age at the same potency as the adult version. Adults.

The FDA will then decide whether to authorize the children’s doses for emergency use, after what has been a considerable wait. Moderna asked federal regulators to approve its adolescent vaccine last June, a month after Pfizer obtained emergency authorization for its coronavirus vaccine to be used in children ages 12 to 15.

Federal scientists, concerned about possible links between the Moderna vaccine and a rare heart condition, myocarditis, chose to delay a decision until more study was done. Young men were considered to be at higher risk of side effects after Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, although some studies suggested higher rates of myocarditis in Moderna recipients.

Moderna later delayed its app for children ages 6 to 11. The company says concerns about myocarditis have now subsided after more research and real-world evidence.

A separate committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to take up the matter this weekend, with which Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the agency’s director, will issue her own recommendation. Children could begin receiving the vaccines shortly after Walensky’s approval.

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