Thirteen COVID-19 vaccines have so far been approved for emergency use in at least one country. But none has been authorised for use in children, who are less vulnerable to the disease. That may soon change. On March 16 Moderna, an American drugmaker, announced that it had administered the first jabs in its trial involving children aged between six months and 12 years. Pfizer, another American firm, is already testing its shot in children over 12; AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish company, will shortly begin trials of its vaccine in those aged six to 17. Why do clinical trials for children differ from those for adults, and what difference will vaccines for children make in the fight against COVID-19?
The Economist: Should children be vaccinated against COVID-19?
A prepared syringe for vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine is pictured at the Region Hovedstaden's vaccine center in Bella Center in Copenhagen on Feb. 11, 2021, amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
