An undated photo provide by Cincinnati Children's Hospital shows Abhinav, 12, a participant in the Pfizer vaccine trial at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Some vaccines — those that protect against pneumococcal or meningococcal bacteria or rotavirus, for example — were tested in children first because they prevent pediatric diseases. But it made sense for coronavirus vaccines to be first tested in and authorized for adults because the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 increases sharply with age, said Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory panel.
Scientists have estimated that 70% to 90% of the population might need to be immunized against the coronavirus to reach herd immunity, especially with more contagious variants expected to circulate widely in the country. Instead, the companies will look at vaccinated children for signs of a strong immune response that would protect them from the coronavirus.
Moderna’s vaccine, which was also authorized in December, is on a similar track for pediatric testing. In December, the company began testing adolescents ages 12 through 17, and plans to enroll 3,000 volunteers in this age group. The company expects results “around midyear 2021,” said Colleen Hussey, a spokeswoman for Moderna.