Moderna releases Covid vaccine study results for children 6 months to under 6 years

(NATIONAL) Moderna Inc. released data from its KidCOVE study Wednesday, which shows the effects of 25 microgram two dose mRNA-1273 on children between the ages of 6 months to under 6 years old. 

The children were divided into two groups: 6 months to 2 years and 2 years to under 6 years old. 

Moderna says the two doses helped to neutralize the antibody response in children who took part in the study. 

The report said 4,200 between 2 and under 6 years old were given the two doses 28 days apart, as well as 2,500 children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years old. 

Moderna says the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant was the predominant strain when these two age groups were studied. 

They say the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine was 43.7 percent in children between 6 months and 2 years old. 

In children between 2 years old to under 6, the efficacy was 37.5 percent. 

Moderna says these efficacy rates were expected during the Omicron wave. 

"We believe these latest results from the KidCOVE study are good news for parents of children under 6 years of age," said Stéphanie Bance, the CEO of Moderna. "We now have clinical data on the performance of our vaccine from infants six months of age through older adults."

Moderna is currently working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other global regulators to submit their latest data. 

The company has also started a submission asking for Emergency Use Authorization of the vaccine for kids between 6 and 11 years old.