Working with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Moderna is starting a new study on the effects of their COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6-months – 11 years old.  Currently, Moderna’s vaccine is only for people 18 and older.  This new study is enrolling 6,750 children in the  U.S. and Canada, and also in Arizona, California, South Carolina, and Texas.

Two injections will be given to the children, 28 days apart of either the Moderna or a saline placebo. They will be given one of three doses from 25 micrograms up to 100 micrograms, the same dose authorized by the FDA for adults.

This study will help determine how the children tolerate the vaccine and the effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Doctors will speak to parents in two telehealth visits after each vaccine, and the parents are being asked to keep a diary on their smartphone to note how the children are doing after the vaccine.

Pfizer is also testing their vaccine on children aged 12-15, and they are fully enrolled with 2,259 participants. Results from the study are expected to be released in the first half of 2021.

Source: NPR.ORG