Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine proves to be 100% effective for teens

DORAL, FL – Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective in teens ages 12 to 17 according to a study conducted in more than 3,700 adolescents as part of phase 2/3. 

None of the participants involved in the study developed the disease after receiving the two doses of the vaccine in comparison with the four cases seen in the placebo group, according to the company.

Regarding side effects, the company revealed Tuesday the most common ones after the second dose have been headache, fatigue, muscle pain and chills.

Findings on Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness come less than three weeks after the company announced early data showed the shot was 96% effective at protecting against the coronavirus in the same population that received at least one dose of the vaccine. 

“We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly effective at preventing COVID-19 in adolescents,” Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a press release. “We remain committed to doing our part to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Now, the company will pursue the FDA’s approval to expand the emergency use of its vaccine in early June.  If they do so by that time, teens could benefit while taking summer activities and fall clases. The approval could arrive about a month after submission. 

If the FDA gives green light to the vaccine, the number of vaccines available for middle and high school students could exponentially expand, which according to experts is a key step to achieve herd immunity and end the pandemic. 

Pfizer and German partner BioNTech were already authorized to use their vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds on May 10.

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