Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine For Children Under 6: How Effective Is it?

Moderna’s two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is effective in children under the age of 6, the company stated Wednesday.

According to its data, two 25 microgram doses of its vaccine produced an almost identical immune response in children under 6 compared to two 100 microgram doses for adults aged 18 to 25.

Moderna clarified, however, that it was more effective against previous variants than the newer variant. Its vaccine was only 44% effective against the Omicron strain for children between 6 months and 2 years.

Moderna CEO Stephanie Bancel said the company will soon request emergency authorization for children under 6 from the Food and Drug Administration.

"Given the need for a vaccine against COVID-19 in infants and young children we are working with the U.S. FDA and regulators globally to submit these data as soon as possible," said Bancel, as reported by CNN.

No health concerns were found in children below the age of 6, which is the only age group left in the country that is not officially approved for COVID-19 vaccines, according to CNBC.

“The vaccine provides the same level of protection against COVID in young kids as it does in adults. We think that’s good news,” Moderna president Dr. Stephen Hoge said, as reported by The Associated Press.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewed the potential implications of both Pfizer and Moderna’s shots in February. It found that while risks with both are much smaller than the benefits they provide, Moderna’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine is associated with a higher risk of heart inflammation than Pfizer’s.