The Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize at least one COVID-19 vaccine for the nation’s youngest children in a move that may provide a choice in shots to parents who have been eager to immunize children with few protective options until this point.
An FDA advisory committee on Wednesday voted 21-0 that the benefits of Moderna’s MRNA, +4.82% two-dose vaccine for children between the ages of 6 months old and 5 years old outweigh the risks. The committee is also expected to vote on BioNTech BNTX, +1.32% and Pfizer’s PFE, +1.25% three-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 months old and 4 years old later on Wednesday.
The final step in the regulatory process is getting an OK from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and a final sign-off from CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
The White House has already said it expects vaccinations for this age group to begin the week of June 20.
Moderna’s stock gained 5.7% in trading on Wednesday after the vote was announced.