Moderna trial finds vaccine effective in teens, while Pfizer submits for full FDA approval

Photo Cred: Mat Napo/Unsplash

By Katherine Shagoury

The Moderna novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is 96 percent effective against the virus, according to new clinical trial results published Thursday and an announcement made by the company the same day.

Company representatives said initial analysis, which included 3,235 participants, showed the vaccine had 96 percent efficacy against COVID-19 of in adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old. The analysis included 12 cases starting 14 days after first dose. The vaccine was generally well-tolerated with no serious safety concerns identified, they said.

The results of the Moderna trial come as Pfizer and BioNTech announced they would be submitting its application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for full FDA approval of its COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 years and older. The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is expected to see FDA authorization for use in adolescents ages 12 to 15 years old in the coming days. The vaccine is the first to be assessed for full approval from the FDA, a process which could take six months or longer.

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