EU recommends Moderna vaccine for children
It is the first time that Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for children under 18 years of age.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended on Friday the application of Moderna's vaccine against COVID-19 to minors aged 12 to 17 years. It is the first time that the vaccine is authorized for children under 18 years of age.
The EMA, the European Union's regulatory body, said a study of more than 3,700 children aged 12 to 17 years showed that Moderna's vaccine, already approved for adults, elicited a similar antibody response.
Until now, the vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech was the only option for children in North America and Europe. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is studying the authorization of Moderna's vaccine for children under 18 years of age.
Given the global shortage of vaccines, much of the world has trouble immunizing adults. Organizations such as the World Health Organization urge rich countries to donate doses to the developing world - where less than 2% of the population is vaccinated - instead of inoculating young, less vulnerable sectors of the population.
SOURCE: Associated Press
The EMA, the European Union's regulatory body, said a study of more than 3,700 children aged 12 to 17 years showed that Moderna's vaccine, already approved for adults, elicited a similar antibody response.
Until now, the vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech was the only option for children in North America and Europe. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is studying the authorization of Moderna's vaccine for children under 18 years of age.
Given the global shortage of vaccines, much of the world has trouble immunizing adults. Organizations such as the World Health Organization urge rich countries to donate doses to the developing world - where less than 2% of the population is vaccinated - instead of inoculating young, less vulnerable sectors of the population.
SOURCE: Associated Press
