April 28 — Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) said on Thursday it asked US regulators to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of 6, which would make it the first shot against the coronavirus available for those under 5-years-old.
The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and BioNTech SE (22UAy.DE) is authorized for children 5 and older. But their trial results for 2- to 4-year-olds showed a weaker immune response than in adults, forcing the study to be extended to test a third dose. Pfizer has said that data would come in April.
“This does represent an important area of unmet need,” Moderna Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton said in an interview.