The trial will test three doses (10, 20 and 30 micrograms) of the vaccine in 144 children. For each dose, testing will begin in children between ages 5 and 11, then in children between ages 2 and 4 and finally in children between ages 6 months and 2 years old.
After the most effective dose is identified, Pfizer will enroll 4,500 children in the trial. Two-thirds of them will receive two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart, and one-third will receive two placebo shots of saline.
Researchers will analyze the immune response in blood samples drawn from trial participants seven days after they receive their second dose.
Pfizer expects results from the trial in the second half of 2021 and hopes to vaccinate young children in early 2022, spokesperson Sharon Castillo told the Times.
The drugmaker began testing its vaccine in children ages 12 and older, and results for that trial are expected to emerge in coming weeks, according to the Times.
Moderna and AstraZeneca have also begun trials assessing their COVID-19 vaccines’ safety and efficacy in children as young as 6 months.
More articles on pharmacy:
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine’s woes: a timeline
HHS stops shipping Eli Lilly’s solo COVID-19 antibody treatment, now only ships its antibody cocktail
US commits $10B to vaccine confidence, access efforts
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.