Moderna seeks emergency authorization for COVID-19 vaccine in young children

Moderna on Thursday submitted a request to the FDA for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 months to under 6 years of age.

Why it matters: Young children have been largely unprotected throughout the pandemic. The FDA's approval could ultimately permit them to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The big picture: Moderna said last month its COVID-19 vaccine for children — which consists of two 25-microgram doses — generated a strong immune response in children ages 6 months to 5 years.

Efficacy was 43.7% for children ages 6 months to 2 years and 37.5% in children ages 2 to 6, clinical trial data showed.

"The majority of cases were mild, and no severe COVID-19 disease was observed in either age group," the drugmaker said last month.