CHMP recommends coronavirus (COVID–19) Spikevax vaccine for children aged 6–11

Article summary

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended that Moderna’s Spikevax coronavirus (COVID–19) vaccine is used in children aged 6–11. The dosage of Spikevax for children within this age group will be 50 µg lower than that of people aged 12 and above. The EMA conducted a study which showed that in children aged 6–11, the ‘immune response to the lower dose of Spikevax (50 µg) was comparable to that seen with the higher dose (100 µg) in 18- to 25-year-olds, as measured by the level of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2’. The predominant side effects are similar to those in people aged 12 and above and are said to be mild to moderate with improvements within a few days of vaccination. According to the CHMP, the evidence indicates that the safety and efficacy of Spikevax in children is similar to that in adults, but will be monitored closely. The CHMP will...