Clinical Trials for Kids 6 Months - 15 Years

Dr. Lanerie: The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were authorized by the FDA in December. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals 16 and older and Moderna for individuals 18 and over. Anyone younger may need a different dosage or different vaccine schedule – which is why this trial is necessary.

Dr. Lanerie: COVID-19 typically leads to a milder illness in children and adolescents when compared to adults, but severe and fatal illness is possible. As of Jan. 7, 2021, around 2.3 million children in the U.S.A. have tested positive for COVID-19, and anyone who has the virus can spread it to others.

There is growing concern that even a mild initial COVID-19 infection could lead to long-term complications in both adults and children. Most importantly, without children and adolescents getting vaccinated, herd immunity may not be possible.

Dr. Lanerie: It’s essential to collect data on the efficacy of the vaccine in children and adolescents. As with all vaccine clinical trials, determining side effects is an important part of the study as well. Because of the lack of study data, it’s currently impossible to say when the vaccine will be available to children, but the hope is a vaccine will be available by the start of school in the fall.

Dr. Lanerie: This is a decision for parents or guardians to make, but it’s worth considering, as a vaccine for children could mean protecting them from a potentially severe illness and a return to normalcy. As with most medical decisions, children under 18 need parental consent to sign up for vaccine clinical trials. Before deciding whether to enroll your child in a trial, consult with your pediatrician or family physician about your child’s risk of experiencing side effects from the vaccine due to allergies or other underlying health conditions.

Dr. Lanerie: The Ventavia Research Group in Houston, located at 610 North Loop and Ella, is currently recruiting patients 6 months old to 15 years of age. Patients will receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a placebo. Interested parents can call 832-831-5349 for more information.