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

  • Evan J. Anderson
  • , James D. Campbell
  • , C. Buddy Creech
  • , Robert Frenck
  • , Satoshi Kamidani
  • , Flor M. Munoz
  • , Sharon Nachman
  • , Paul Spearman
  • Emory University
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Baylor College of Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)336-340
Number of pages5
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume73
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2021

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • immunization
  • immunize
  • pediatric
  • vaccination

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