Moderna on Thursday asked U.S. regulators to authorize low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 6, a move toward potentially allowing shots for millions of youths by summer.
Moderna submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration that it hopes will prove two low-dose shots can protect babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
“There is an important unmet medical need here with these youngest kids,” said Dr. Paul Burton, Moderna’s chief medical officer. “I think it is likely that over time they will need additional doses. But we’re working on that.”
Now, only children ages 5 or older are able to receive a COVID vaccine in the U.S., using rival Pfizer’s vaccine, leaving 18 million younger.
Pfizer is soon expected to announce if three of its even smaller-dose shots work for the littlest kids.
Reporting from The Associated Press.
