First graders could be vaccinated against COVID-19 by September, White House chief adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview published by ProPublica on Thursday.
Fauci quoted clinical studies now underway in the US from vaccine developers Pfizer and Moderna to test the safety and effectiveness of doses in children. He had previously said that the Food and Drug Administration could allow American children to be vaccinated “until late spring and early summer.”
So far, except a handful of mistakes, the national launch of vaccines did not include children.
Based on initial research by Pfizer, FDA Authorized Use of that vaccine for beneficiaries aged 16 and over. Moderna’s blows are authorized for the age of 18 and over.
Now, Fauci said in the interview: “We are starting clinical trials in what we call the age gap, in which you do a clinical trial with people from 16 to 12, then from 12 to 9, then from 9 at 6. “
Earlier this year, federal officials encouraged families to participate in clinical trials launched by drug manufacturers for younger subjects, which will begin with adolescents and then expand later to include younger children.
“It is really very important for all of us, for the entire American population, to realize that we cannot have this indication unless adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 decide to participate,” said Dr. Moncef Slaoui, head of the effort. vaccination of the Trump administration. , he told a news conference in January.
Spokesmen for both vaccine developers confirmed to CBS News the estimated deadlines for their studies in adolescents, which were first reported by ProPublica. Pfizer expects data on their doses to children aged 12 to 15 by the beginning of 2021, while Moderna says data from subjects aged 12 to 17 will be included by “about half of the year 2021 ”.
Fauci’s comments come as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launches new guidelines Friday for safer reopening of K-12 schools.
The CDC guidelines for schools are expected to echo many of the mitigation recommendations already established by the agency, such as ensuring that teachers and students wear masks, maintain an adequate social distance and practice good “hand hygiene”. It is also expected that guidelines will be included for the implementation of a strong contact tracking program and isolation and quarantine.
The CDC cited research in classrooms that managed to reopen or remain open due to the pandemic last year, with few cases of COVID-19 and most students reporting wearing masks.
Although public health experts said vaccines are not needed to conduct in-person classes, the CDC acknowledged last week that immunizations could help schools return to some of the school’s activities – such as indoor sports or competitions – that have been related to outbreaks.
Children are generally considered to have a lower risk of COVID-19 than adults, but can still catch it and spread it to others. Many children have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, but some have become seriously ill or have developed long-term health problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that there have been more than 2.9 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in children and at least 227 deaths.
“With 2 vaccines now distributed under emergency permits and more early vaccination options available in the coming months, there is a lot of hope on the horizon,” top CDC officials wrote last month.
The agency has already updated several other parts of its COVID-19 guide this week, including a recommendation Wednesday to wear a cloth mask over a disposable mask that now allows fully vaccinated Americans to avoid quarantine requirements.