Moderna submits Covid vaccine EUA for US adolescents

Moderna, who earlier this month initiated an application for full FDA vaccine approval in people 18 years of age and older, has now requested an emergency use authorization (EUA) for young adults aged 12-17.

“We are pleased to announce that we have submitted for an emergency use authorization for our Covid-19 vaccine with the FDA for use in adolescents in the United States,” says Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO. “We are encouraged that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection in adolescents.”

Bancel also noted that Moderna has already applied for EUAs in Canada and the UK as well.

In a study of nearly 2,500 young adults in this 12-17 age group released in May, the Moderna vaccine was considered 100% effective in preventing Covid-19. Pfizer-BioNTech presented these same 100% efficacy findings, but for those ages 12-15.