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. 2021 Jul 15;73(2):336-340.
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1425.

Warp Speed for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines: Why Are Children Stuck in Neutral?

Evan J Anderson  1   2   3 , James D Campbell  4 , C Buddy Creech  5 , Robert Frenck  6 , Satoshi Kamidani  1   3 , Flor M Munoz  7   8 , Sharon Nachman  9 , Paul Spearman  6
Affiliations

Warp Speed for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines: Why Are Children Stuck in Neutral?

Evan J Anderson et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Abstract

While adult clinical trials of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have moved quickly into phase 3 clinical trials, clinical trials have not started in children in the United States. The direct COVID-19 impact upon children is greater than that observed for a number of other pathogens for which we now have effective pediatric vaccines. Additionally, the role of children in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission has clearly been underappreciated. Carefully conducted phase 2 clinical trials can adequately address potential COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns. Delaying phase 2 vaccine clinical trials in children will delay our recovery from COVID-19 and unnecessarily prolong its impact upon children's education, health, and emotional well-being, and equitable access to opportunities for development and social success. Given the potential direct and indirect benefits of pediatric vaccination, implementation of phase 2 clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines should begin now.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; immunization; immunize; pediatric; vaccination.

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References

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