It seems that the entire planet is getting vaccinated! The 6 main vaccines approved for use (4 in the western world and 1 in China and 1 in Russia) are being pumped out and jabbed into arms at breakneck speeds. In Canada supply has not only resumed but an increased supply has caused Quebec to be able to vaccinate ages 65 and over. What about kids though? Will they ever get vaccinated even though their immune systems handle the virus better than older people?
Why not?
Dr Christos Karatzios assistant Professor of Paediatrics/Infectious Diseases at the Montréal Children’s Hospital says yes! Why not! The main reasons he lists are the variants spreading in schools and the children being an important group fueling the upcoming third wave. Also, the new findings about a percentage of people developing diabetes mellitus type 1 after COVID-19
Big Pharma
On Wednesday, March 16, 2021 , Moderna announced it is opening the trial of its vaccine for children aged 6 months to 11 years old and recruiting US and Canadian children (Canadian sites have not opened yet). Israel is vaccinating teenagers aged 16 years and older with the approved for use Pfizer vaccine. They want them to be able to return to classes and write their final exams in person this spring. Pfizer has already finished recruiting children aged 12 to 15 years old for its vaccine trial and is looking at starting its trial of children aged 5 years and up. Moderna is currently running a trial of children aged 12 to 17 years, and Johnson & Johnson is looking at starting pediatric trials as well.
Vaccine study for children
A research study conducted by Moderna is testing an investigational vaccine that may protect children who are between the ages of 6 months and 11 years from getting sick if they come into contact with SARS-COV-2, which causes COVID-19; also known as coronavirus.
According to the company, the primary purpose of the KidCOVE Study is to test the safety and effectiveness of the study vaccine, called mRNA-1273, that may protect children between the ages of 6 months and 11 years from getting sick if they come into contact with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The study vaccine is being compared to a placebo, which is a saltwater solution that looks just like the study vaccine but contains no active vaccine.
6,750 participants are required by Moderna in this Phase 2 out of 3 of the trial of the vaccine that Moderna says prevents COVID-19 disease and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in children. That would be a crucial public health tool to help curb the pandemic.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must: Be between 6 months and 11 years old and be in good health
Participants must not:
Have received an investigational or approved vaccine for COVID-19
Be currently taking any investigational or approved treatments for COVID-19
Have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 within 2 weeks prior to vaccine administration
Have participated in another COVID-19 trial in the past month
What can parents expect
Participation in the KidCOVE Study lasts approximately 14 months and includes phone calls, telemedicine visits, and up to seven visits to the study site. Children will be given two injections in the upper arm – about 28 days apart and have a chance of receiving either the mRNA-1273 study vaccine or the placebo. The participating children and their guardians will be asked to return to the study site up to six times depending on their enrollment assignment and will have two telemedicine visits with the study doctor after each injection, and then monthly after that to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. During these phone calls, the study doctor and medical staff will check how the child is feeling and ask for updates on their health.
Parents will also be required to use an eDiary app on their smartphone or a provided smartphone to report any COVID-19 symptoms their child experiences and will be closely monitored by the Moderna study team if any symptoms of COVID-19 are reported at any time throughout their participation.
Finally, always according to the Moderna test site, the study doctor and medical staff will talk to the participating parents and their children about additional medical support should COVID-19 symptoms are exhibited at any time while in this clinical trial. Insurance is not needed to join this clinical trial, and compensation for the family’s time will be available.
