Moderna to begin testing COVID-19 vaccine in children

Moderna said Wednesday it will begin testing its COVID-19 vaccine on children, starting with kids aged 12 through 17.

The study aims to “evaluate the safety” of a single dose level of the vaccine administered “to an adolescent population,” according to the study notes, posted on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The study will include 3,000 participants, with half receiving the vaccine and half being injected with a saline placebo. Both will be administered in two doses, scheduled 28 days apart.

The study, which has not yet started recruiting candidates, is estimated to be concluded by June 2022.

Colleen Hussey, a spokeswoman for Moderna, told The New York Times she’s not sure when the study will open to volunteers.

On Monday, Moderna applied for emergency use of its vaccine candidate with the Food and Drug Administration, claiming that its COVID-19 vaccine was effective and that “no serious safety concerns” had arisen during trials.