Moderna wins CDC nod to use COVID-19 vaccine in teens, older children
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) COVID-19 vaccine for children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years on Friday, allowing another vaccine option for the age group.
âWe have expanded the options available to families by recommending a second safe and effective vaccine for children ages 6 through 17 years,â CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, announcing the decision.

âVaccinating this age group can provide greater confidence to families that their children and adolescents participating in child care, school, and other activities will have less risk for serious Covid-19 illness.â
A rival messenger-RNA based COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer (PFE)/BioNTech (BNTX) was available for teens for more than a year and since October for children aged 5 to 11.
The CDC endorsement of the Moderna (MRNA) vaccine comes hours after an independent group of experts advising the agency unanimously voted to recommend the two-dose shot for the age group.