Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Moderna to test its COVID vaccine on Canadian kids

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2021 06:44 PM
  • Moderna to test its COVID vaccine on Canadian kids

Moderna says upcoming clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine will include Canadian children, but experts say it's unlikely students will receive one before the next school year in September.

The company announced details of its Phase 2/3 study of COVID-19 earlier this week. It’s expected to involve 6,750 healthy pediatric participants aged six months to 12 years.

Moderna says initial participants are based in the United States but that Canadian sites will be added as the trial progresses.

The biotech company says it hasn't yet chosen the Canadian sites, nor Canadian participants.

Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel says it's an important age group to study.

The trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of two doses given 28 days apart. Participants will be followed for one year after the second vaccination.

In addition to Moderna, Canada has approved vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca for adult use, although the Pfizer product can be used by people as young as 16.

Dr. Caroline Quach of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization said Tuesday that she expected to see trial data from Pfizer involving 12-to-15-year-olds in two-to-three months.

But she said she didn’t expect one would be ready and approved for Canadian children before the end of the year.

AstraZeneca has also started a trial with younger age groups, while Johnson & Johnson is expected to run a vaccine trial involving teens this spring in Toronto and Burlington, Ont.

But like Quach, Health Canada's chief medical adviser did not expect to have a vaccine ready for children by the time school starts in September.

"I think that timeline may be a bit optimistic," Dr. Supriya Sharma said earlier this month.

"The trials in children tend to be a bit slower to get up and running in terms of recruiting individuals. And then of course, we have to conduct the trials and then take that information and assess that.

"It’s not inconceivable that we might have some data in the summer, and potentially by the end of this calendar year we might have some indications in children, but that's still pretty optimistic."

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Ferries offers lower prices for main routes in the Lower Mainland

BC Ferries offers lower prices for main routes in the Lower Mainland
The new Saver fare is the most affordable fare choice. Saver fares range from $49 - $73.70 and include a free reservation.

BC Ferries offers lower prices for main routes in the Lower Mainland

Robbery suspect leaves his wallet behind: VPD

Robbery suspect leaves his wallet behind: VPD
When he pulled out his phone to make a call, a man ran by and allegedly grabbed it from his hands.

Robbery suspect leaves his wallet behind: VPD

Protesters blocks busy Vancouver intersection

Protesters blocks busy Vancouver intersection
A police spokesman says the group marched from the courthouse to the east Vancouver intersection late Tuesday following the sentencing.

Protesters blocks busy Vancouver intersection

PM signals support for Diab as he faces trial

PM signals support for Diab as he faces trial
France recently ordered Hassan Diab to stand trial for a decades-old synagogue bombing in Paris, a move his lawyer called the latest misstep in a long odyssey of injustice.

PM signals support for Diab as he faces trial

One killed, two hurt in North Vancouver crash

One killed, two hurt in North Vancouver crash
Police say a vehicle with a lone male inside crossed the centre line, hitting the vehicle with the woman and her passenger.

One killed, two hurt in North Vancouver crash

Alek Minassian found guilty in Toronto van attack

Alek Minassian found guilty in Toronto van attack
The 28-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.

Alek Minassian found guilty in Toronto van attack