The study tests the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on 2,000 children across the country between the ages of 12 and 15.
Sophie Holland is one of about 100 children enrolled in the study through Duke.
Nearly a third of people with “mild” COVID-19 still struggle with symptoms months later, the study finds
The 12-year-old does not know if she received the vaccine or a placebo used for the study. But he said he had side effects after the second dose, so he thinks he got the vaccine.
“10-12 hours after I took it, I had chills and then I had a fever the next day,” Holland said. “But it wasn’t too bad. It only lasted a few days and then it was all over.”
Cancer patients are ‘frustrated’ as renewed state priorities put them down the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list
Holland’s father, Thomas, has a doctor’s degree in infectious diseases from Duke.
“I think mRNA vaccines have proven to be very, very safe on millions and millions of doses in adults,” said Dr. Holland. “So I felt really good about the safety profile and probably her age.”
Pregnant women in the study receive the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
“I feel happy that it contributes to all the science and things, and when I first heard about it, I realized that it could be risky because I didn’t know much about how it affects children, but I realized that the right thing to let them know about it is to participate in the trial, “said Sophie Holland.
The Netherlands is drawn from blood and nasal swabs every few weeks as part of the process.
“There are things I’m proud of and I’ve been with her on every visit and I’ve watched her do these things, and that’s part of her contribution to science,” said Dr. Holland.
I no longer enroll children in study.
Duke hopes to participate in the next phase of the study for children under 11. It could start this spring.
Copyright © 2021 WTVD-TV. All rights reserved.