When will kids under 12 be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Are you eager to get your kiddo vaccinated?

Good news! COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for kids under 12 are currently underway. To achieve optimal dosing, trial groups are divided into three: ages 5 to 11, 2 to 5, and 6 months to 2 years (1).

Both Pfizer (2) and Moderna (3) are currently running clinical trials. Both recently expanded the size of their clinical trials (4). Expanding the trial size means better detection of possible rare side effects. This includes heart inflammation problems like myocarditis and pericarditis.

Results from 5 – 11 year old clinical trials might be ready as early as September (4). Health Canada will only authorize a vaccine once they have all necessary evidence. This includes that the vaccine is safe, works, meets manufacturing standards, and that the benefits outweigh the risks (5).

SARS-CoV-2 is much less likely to cause serious illness in children than in adults (6). But some kids still become very ill and can develop long COVID (7). The highly contagious Delta variant may mean we see an increase of cases in children (8).

While we wait for the results of the trials, there are things we can do. Increasing community vaccination rates among those 12+, wearing masks, and gathering outside can help protect kids who can’t get vaccinated yet (9).

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Wondering when kids under 12 can start getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

Clinical trials for Pfizer and Moderna are currently underway! Here’s what we know so far.#TakeScience #ScienceUpFirst

[1/3] pic.twitter.com/BMq5ckQe5G

— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienceD’abord (@ScienceUpFirst) August 16, 2021

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