ATLANTA — While the rush is on to create a vaccine, some doctors say one important thing is missing – a vaccine trial including children.
Dr. Evan Anderson, a pediatric infection disease specialist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine, says 100 children have died in the U.S. from coronavirus.
“We have seen in recent days that children are frequently infected and they can suffer severe and potentially life threatening complications from COVID-19,” Anderson said.
He says certain populations have higher percentages.
“They have been disproportionately affecting Hispanics as well Black populations,” he said.
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Anderson says right now there’s just one phase three trial in this country that recently opened up down to age 16. He believes vaccine trials involving children need to happen now.
“We believe it’s time to really move forward at this stage with initial phase two studies in children. These studies will take some time to complete,” he said.
Anderson says other vaccines children currently take to prevent diseases were studied in that way. He says a vaccine for children is beneficial to stop the spread of coronavirus in schools and other activities children participate in.
“Waiting to conduct pediatric phase three trials after adult vaccines have shown efficacy or licensing will result in ongoing pediatric morbidity or mortality in the meanwhile,” Anderson said.
“What are things researchers are looking at in a trial involving children?” Channel 2′s Carol Sbarge asked.
“They would evaluate a number of things. That would include safety, the best dosage and effectiveness. All of that takes some time,” he said.
Cox Media Group
