Moderna says vaccine effective in ages 12-17

Moderna announced Tuesday that its Covid-19 vaccine was "very effective" in children and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, according to the results of full clinical trials.

The company said it plans to apply for permission to use its vaccine for this age group in early June from regulators around the world.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been approved for use in this age group in many countries, including the United States.

"We are relieved that it has been shown to be highly effective (of the vaccine) in preventing Covid-19 in young adults ... We will report these results to the Food and Drug Administration and regulators around the world in early June and strive To obtain permission. "

Moderna's study involved more than 3,700 participants between the ages of 12 and 17 in the United States, two-thirds of whom received the vaccine and the other third a placebo.

Moderna said in a statement, "After two doses, no infection with Covid was observed in the group that received the vaccine ... compared to four infections in the placebo group, which means that the vaccine is 100 percent effective 14 days after the second dose."

After the first dose, 93 percent efficacy was observed, according to the company, which said that the vaccine was "generally well tolerated" and "no safety concerns have been identified yet."

The side effects were the same as those observed in adults, including pain at the injection site, fatigue and chills.