In a statement on its website, Moderna announced its current vaccine is effective for children age 12 to 17. It was originally approved for ages 18 and over.
Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna said, “We will submit these results to the U.S. FDA and regulators globally in early June and request authorization. We remain committed to doing our part to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.”
If approved, it will make Moderna the second vaccine authorized for younger children. Pfizer’s vaccine received both federal regulatory approval and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation earlier this month. Both Georgia and South Carolina began vaccinating 12- to 16-year-olds within days.
MORE: CDC Green Lights COVID-19 Vaccinations for Younger Children
Augusta University Health’s Assistant Vice President of Strategic Planning and Pharmacy Services Dr. Joshua Wyche said, “Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine report in children age 12-17 is another example of scientific evidence that MRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. When approved by the FDA, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will give all Americans age 12 and above access to two safe and effective MRNA COVID-19 vaccines.”
Moderna’s announcement came just two days before the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s weekly COVID-19 briefing for reporters in the Palmetto State.
DHEC Public Health Director Dr. Brannon Traxler is encouraged Moderna is seeking approval for the younger children.
She said, “Having a second option is great, but don’t wait. The Pfizer vaccine is still available now.”
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DHEC will begin using the J&J vaccine at its community vaccination center at the Columbia Place Mall in Columbia beginning May 27.
Dr. Traxler said, “We hope that will increase our fully vaccinated population because it’s one and done.”
Currently, 44% of South Carolinians age 12 and older are fully vaccinated.
Also this week, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies and properties from requiring the use of so-called COVID-19 vaccination passports.
MORE: Younger Students Showing Up for COVID-19 Vaccinations
Gov. Kemp said, “While I continue to urge all Georgians to get vaccinated so we continue our momentum in putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview, vaccination is a personal decision between each citizen and a medical professional — not state government. This order also clearly states that data held by the Georgia Department of Public Health and their immunization system will not be used by any public or private entity for a vaccine passport program.”
The order also said no vaccine passport will be required to enter Georgia.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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