We’ll know more about Moderna’s trial data when the company applies for emergency use authorization. But what little we know seems hopeful: Last week’s news release shared that kids 6 months through 5 years of age had similar immune responses to the 25 micrograms pediatric dosages as adults who also received two doses of the 100 micrograms adult dosage. The vaccine’s protection against infection was also similar for the kids in the trial compared with adults who received two doses during the same time period when Omicron was dominant.
When we know more about the trial data, we’ll be comparing what we know about the vaccine with what we know about Covid-19’s risks for our kids, families and communities.
Nearly all kids are also just a few degrees of separation from someone at high risk, whether close connections (like friends, teachers or grandparents) or more distant connections (like friends of friends). Vaccinating kids of all ages can help to protect those of us who are especially vulnerable by breaking transmission chains and reducing the amount of virus circulating in the community. This enables all of us to get back to doing the things we love.
We invite others to join us in listening to the public meetings to learn more about the safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines for young kids. Scientists leading the trials will discuss their results and answer questions from the committees of experts who will review the data and make recommendations.
And until we’re able to vaccinate them, we’ll continue to use the proven tools that we know can keep our young kids safe: vaccinating those around them, making indoor air safer, masking, staying home when sick and testing. We can’t wait to add vaccination to the tools accessible to our young kids.
We’re hopeful the wait isn’t much longer.