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Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccines to be Tested on Children in Trials Across the Country

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As school districts across the United States face the challenge of reopening safely, clinical trials to test COVID-19 vaccines on children are gaining momentum. The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca are the latest vaccine developers to detail their plans to study the safety and effectiveness of their vaccine in children. The University of Oxford trial will focus on children aged 6-17, the youngest group yet to be tested. Pfizer and Moderna have already begun enrolling children 12 and older in clinical trials of their respective vaccines. The European Union, United Kingdom, and India have authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine, with the U.S. agreeing to buy 300 million doses if it is authorized by the FDA. The results of the clinical trials are expected to be released later this month.

Key Takeaways:

  • The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca have announced plans to study the safety and effectiveness of their COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 6-17 in the UK.
  • Pfizer and Moderna have already begun enrolling children 12 and older in clinical trials of their respective vaccines, which are the only ones currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • The European Union, United Kingdom, and India have authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine, with the U.S. agreeing to buy 300 million doses if it is authorized by the FDA.
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci expects COVID-19 vaccines to be authorized for children as young as first grade by September.
  • In the United States, children aged 5-17 make up 9.4% of all COVID-19 cases, and children under age four constitute 1.9% of all U.S. cases.
  • More than 2,000 children have developed multisystem inflammation syndrome, a serious COVID-related complication.

Statistics:

  • 294 children have died from COVID-19 as of Monday, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Children aged 5-17 make up 9.4% of all COVID-19 cases, and children under age four constitute 1.9% of all U.S. cases.
  • More than 2,000 children have developed multisystem inflammation syndrome, a serious COVID-related complication.
  • The U.S. has agreed to buy 300 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine if it is authorized by the FDA.
  • Clinical trials are expected to release results later this month, with Pfizer and Moderna releasing results by summer.

Sources:

  • University of Oxford and AstraZeneca announcement of vaccine trials for children
  • US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on COVID-19 cases in children
  • Interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on vaccine trials for children
  • The New York Times article on vaccine trials for children
  • PROPUBLICA article on vaccine trials for children

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