CINCINNATI - There could soon be a COVID-19 vaccine for children under six years old if Moderna gets its way. Moderna is trying to get FDA approval for a COVID vaccine for children 6 months to 6 years old.
What You Need To Know
- In a news release, Moderna said it is applying for FDA approval for the vaccine for children 6 months to 6 years
- The release states the vaccine in those age groups are about 40% effective in fighting off the virus
- Some parents are hesitant because of the efficacy rate, but doctors say it could help slow the spread
Nikita Anderson was home with her 7-year-old son because he was sick for days.
“He has something going on with his stomach, and I know there’s a stomach virus going around,” said Anderson.
She said that means he’ll have to take a COVID test to go back to school. He doesn’t have the COVID vaccine; none of her five kids do.
“There is just that hesitancy and that initial distrust when we talk about the health care system,” said Anderson.
There hasn’t been an option to get the COVID vaccine for her youngest 11-month-old child.
Moderna is trying to be the first to get FDA approval for children under age 6.
Anderson is hesitant about that, too.
“If it’s only 40% effective, then that’s less than 50, that’s less than flipping a coin, so it almost seems as though it isn’t necessary,” said Anderson.
According to a news release from Moderna, its two-dose vaccine is about 40% effective in kids under age 6, 43.7% vaccine efficacy in children 6 months to 2 years and 37.5% for ages 2 to 6 years.
“My initial reaction was, oh, there’s gonna be a lot of questions that I’m gonna have to answer in the office in the next six months,” said Premier Health Regional Medical Director and Primary Care Physician Dr. Joseph Allen.
Allen says even at that efficacy rate, it could help stop the spread of the virus.
“40% is OK, it’s reasonable. It sounds low compared to what we heard before, but it’s a reasonable number. I would say if we take the population as a whole and 40% have full immunity to this, it’s really gonna cut down the spread of COVID quite a bit,” said Allen.
Allen said parents have been coming to him not only concerned about how well the vaccine works but the potential side effects.
According to Moderna’s release, the possible effects in children are similar for older kids and adults.
“There is a potential for you to feel kind of crummy for 12-24 hours after you get it, and that happens. I experienced it twice myself,” said Allen.
He suggests parents thoroughly look through the research before making a decision.
After doing her own research, Nikita Anderson says she has her mind made up.
“I don’t want to tell someone not to do what’s best for them and their family to keep them safe, but for me personally, and with the 40% effectiveness, I don’t think there would be any point,” said Anderson.