Babies as young as six months old could be vaccinated against Covid-19 next year if trials of the Moderna vaccine prove it is safe and effective for infants and toddlers.
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Parents in Australia have been rushing to book vaccination appointments for teenagers this month after the Moderna vaccine finally became available. You can book by going online to findapharmacy.com.au or by contacting participating pharmacies.
But manufacturers are testing its use in children under 5 years old and are also considering manufacturing the vaccine in Australia.
Moderna's chief medical officer, Dr Paul Burton, told News Corp that children as young as two could be vaccinated.
"Currently, it is approved for use in adults and children over the age of 12, and we will definitely go to younger infants as well," he said.
"I believe we will have the test results shortly before the end of the year, perhaps in the November timeframe.".
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However, trials in the US are continuing and children as young as two years old are being vaccinated, offering vaccines to children as young as six months old.
Moderna Inc plans to enroll about 13,275 participants in the vaccine trial for children - with participants aged between six months and 12 years.
One of the scientists involved in this study in the US, Katherine Luzuriaga, MD, said she was confident that thousands of parents would consent to their children's participation.
“Getting children back to school… and protecting them as much as possible from infection is really important,” said Dr Luzuriaga.
"We focus on the medical issues, certainly the risk of the disease itself and the long-term effects of COVID-19. However, what has been shown is that children have really suffered socially, emotionally and academically from not being able to go to school.".
"Until vaccines are approved for use in school-age children and more adolescents are vaccinated, we want to encourage parents and families to do everything possible to protect their children, especially during this time when they are returning to school.".
In April, Moderna filed a quarterly report in the United States with the federal financial regulator, confirming that it would test the safety and effectiveness of its Covid-19 vaccine in 6,000 healthy children between the ages of six months and 12 years.
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In August, the company confirmed it was considering using Australia as a testing area for children as young as six months old, but this would require approval from health authorities.
Information source: news.com.au
