Moderna say COVID vaccine 100% effective in 12-17 year olds

The Moderna vaccine has been found to be 100% effective against COVID-19 in 12-17 year olds, according to new data from the TeenCOVE study

The drugmaker says that it will globally file for Emergency Use in June, 2021. This could make Moderna the second vaccine to be approved for use in adolescents, after Pfizer was approved for US use in over-12s two weeks ago (12 May).

In November of last year, Moderna performed at 94.1% efficacy at Phase Three of clinical trials – placing the mRNA vaccine as one of the frontrunners in protection percentages.

In real-world data from the US, the vaccine was observed to be creating an efficacy of 90%. The study, which also examined Pfizer in the US, found that both vaccines were capable of creating 80% protection 14 days after the first dose.

Now, TeenCOVE data is pointing toward an optimistic reaction from adolescents too.

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, commented: “We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly effective at preventing COVID-19 in adolescents. It is particularly exciting to see that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. We will submit these results to the U.S. FDA and regulators globally in early June and request authorization.

“We remain committed to doing our part to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.”

3,732 adolescent participants, 100% efficacy

The Moderna vaccine was given to adolescents aged between 12 and just under 18, who were then compared to the placebo group. There were no cases of COVID-19 in the group given the vaccine, while the placebo group registered four cases of the virus. Currently, 12-17 year olds are already taking Pfizer in the US to be able to get back to schooling.

A vaccine efficacy of 100% was established, 14 days after the second dose of the vaccine.

Did the adolescents experience side effects?

The study describes the vaccine as “generally well tolerated”, which generally follows how the vaccine was received by adults in Phase Three of the original clinical trials. The most common reaction was injection site pain, with headache, fatigue, muscle pain and chills after the second dose.

Adults have generally been reacting well to real-world vaccination via Moderna.

The adolescents in this study will continue to be watched for another 12 months.