Moderna Files EMERGENCY Authorization for Kids' COVID-19 Vaccine

Moderna (MRNA) filed a request for emergency use authorization (EAU) for its COVID-19 vaccine for use in kids between 6 months and under 6 years Thursday.

The request is for the approval of two doses of 25 micrograms of the mRNA vaccine.

Moderna's clinical data showed the vaccine was 51% effective for the younger cohort of the age group, from six months to under 2 years, and 37% effective for the older group. The company said this is about the same as adult vaccine efficacy of two doses against Omicron.

By comparison, Pfizer (PFE)/BioNTech (BNTX) had extended its study of its vaccine in a similar age group to add a third dose of 10 micrograms due to low efficacy results in December 2021.

Moderna had previously indicated it would file by the end of the month, and is the first vaccine company to submit its filing for the still-unprotected age group.

Parents have been anxiously awaiting a vaccine option for the youngest age group as the virus continues to circulate, and a new variant, BA2.12.1, begins to increase in prevalence around the country. This, juxtaposed against relaxed masking around the country, has been cause for concern among parents of young children.

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