JNS: The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for use in children aged 12 and over by the UK medical watchdog. It is the second Covid-19 vaccine authorised for those aged between 12 and 17, after the Pfizer vaccine.
In a statement the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that the vaccine (Spikevax) was “safe and effective in this age group”.
It would now be up to government advisory body the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to recommend whether to start giving the jab, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.
The JCVI said only 12 to 15 year olds deemed vulnerable should receive a vaccine — a more cautious approach than in the United States and the European Union.
MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine said, “I am pleased to confirm that that the Covid-19 vaccine made by Moderna has now been authorised in 12 to 17-year-olds. The vaccine is safe and effective in this age group,” it reported.
“We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for monitoring the safety of all UK-approved Covid-19 vaccines and this surveillance will include the 12 to 17-year age group.”
Meanwhile, experts said that they will await more data before issuing advice to ministers. We have only recently confirmed that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to get the Pfizer vaccine. The target of a first dose by August 23 will mean that they have built up some level of protection before the school year starts in September, he said.
