Students as young as first-graders could be vaccinated against COVID-19 in September, White House chief medical consultant Dr. Anthony Fauci, in an interview published by ProPublica.
Fauci quoted clinical trials now underway in the United States from vaccine developers Pfizer and Modern to test the safety and effectiveness of doses in children. He had previously said that the Food and Drug Administration could allow vaccination in American children “when we get to late spring and early summer.”
So far, except a handful of mistakes, the nationwide vaccine launch has not included children.
Based on initial research presented by Pfizer, the Use authorized by the FDA of this vaccine for recipients over 16 years of age. Modern shots are authorized from 18 years.
Now, Fauci said in the interview: “We are in the process of starting clinical trials in what we call age escalation, where you do a clinical trial with people aged 16 to 12, after 12 to 9 and after 9 to 6 years. “
Earlier this year, federal officials encouraged families to participate in clinical trials that drug makers would launch for younger subjects, which will begin with teens and then expand to include younger children.
“It’s really very important for everyone, for the entire American population, to realize that we can’t have this indication unless teens ages 12 to 18 decide to participate,” said Dr. Moncef Slaoui, head of the vaccination effort of the Trump administration. , he said at a news conference in January.
Spokesmen for the two vaccine developers confirmed to CBS News the estimated deadlines for their trials in adolescents, which were first reported by ProPublica. Pfizer expects data on its doses in 12- to 15-year-olds by “early 2021,” while Moderna says data from 12- to 17-year-old subjects will be available “by mid-2021.”
Fauci’s comments come when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will unveil a new guideline for the safer reopening of K-12 schools on Friday.
CDC guidelines for schools are expected to echo many of the mitigation recommendations already established by the agency, such as ensuring that teachers and students wear masks, maintain adequate social distancing and practice good “hand hygiene”. Also included are guidelines for implementing a strong contact tracking program and isolating and quarantining.
The CDC has cited classroom investigations that may have reopened or remained open during the pandemic last year with few cases of COVID-19 and most students reportedly wearing masks.
Although public health experts have said vaccines are not needed to conduct face-to-face classes, the CDC acknowledged last week that vaccinations could help schools return to some of the school’s activities, such as sports or competitions. , which have been related to outbreaks.
Children are generally considered to have a lower risk of COVID-19 than adults, but they can still catch it and spread it to other people. Many children have only mild or no symptoms, but some have become seriously ill or have developed long-term health problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that there have been more than 2.9 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in children and at least 227 deaths.
“With two vaccines now being distributed under emergency use authorizations and more vaccine options are expected in the coming months, there is high hope on the horizon,” CDC officials wrote on last month.
This week the agency has already updated several other parts of its COVID-19 guidance, including Wednesday’s recommendation to wear a cloth mask over a disposable mask and allow some fully vaccinated Americans to omit the requirements of quarantine.