By Ron Howells • Published: 24 Jul 2021 • 8:29
European Medicines Agency first to approve Moderna jab for children aged 12 and above. image: Moderna media
The European Medicines Agency is the first to approve the use of the Moderna vaccine for children aged 12 and above.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 17- this is the first time the double-shot American/German-produced vaccine has been recommended for people under the age of 18.
The EU regulator said research in a trial involving more than 3,700 children showed that the jab produced a similar antibody response to that in adults.
Young adults in the trials reported sore arms, headache, and fatigue as the most common side effects. The jab, already been approved for adults in Europe, is just the second vaccine to be licensed for children in the European Union.
Until now, the vaccine made by Pfizer and German partner BioNTech has been the only option for children in Europe and North America.
“The use of the Spikevax vaccine in children from 12 to 17 years of age will be the same as in people aged 18 and above. It is given as two injections in the muscles of the upper arm, four weeks apart,” the EMA said in a statement.
The US Food and Drug Administration is said to be currently considering whether to extend the use of the Moderna vaccine to the same age group in the country.
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Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.
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