Moderna Says Low Dose COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe, Works for Children 6 to 11

Moderna announced Monday that a low dose of its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and appears to work for children ages 6 to 11, joining Pfizer in moving to expand eligibility to children.

Moderna hasn’t yet received authorization to offer its vaccine to teens, but is studying lower doses in younger children as it waits, Fox News reports.

Indeed, Pfizer’s vaccine is closer to use among kids, as its FDA approval for the 5 to 11 age group could come as soon as November.

Researchers tested two half-dose Moderna shots for 6 to 11 year olds, given one month apart. Preliminary results showed vaccinated children developed virus-fighting antibodies similar to those that young adults produce.

The study is ongoing, and Moderna plans to share the interim results with the FDA soon.