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Across much of the U.S., people age 16 and over are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19. But what about younger children?
Children under 16 are not yet eligible to receive any of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved for emergency use in adults, and public health experts explain that children will need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to reach herd immunity and stop the spread of the virus.
Clinical trials in adolescents and young children are underway on Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. This week, Pfizer reported promising early results. Johnson & Johnson also is exploring conducting clinical trials with children. This all begs the question: When will those under 16 be able to be vaccinated for COVID-19?
This edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Joining Dr. Mattke to discuss COVID-19, vaccines and children are Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician, and Dr. Emily Levy, a pediatric critical care and infectious diseases expert — both from Mayo Clinic.
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