Nashville parents can now enroll children in the latest round of testing for two COVID-19 vaccines, seizing an early chance to protect kids as the virus lingers and evolves.
This testing comes at a time when the threat coronavirus poses to children is growing. While kids are generally less susceptible to infection and serious complications from COVID-19, the rise of new virus variants and a rash of pediatric hospitalizations in Michigan suggests that resistance is at risk of eroding.
Clinical Research Associates, which has tested drugs in Nashville for decades, is now set to begin clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines for young children and teens. The company will begin a trial this month of the Novavax vaccine for minors age 12 to 17, then another trial in June of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 6 months to 12 years.
Credit Blake Farmer / WPLN
Some COVID-19 vaccines are already in use, but the clinical trials roll on. In fact, they’re still recruiting participants, and they’re particularly focused on signing up people of color.
At first, speed was the top priority. Now diversity is, says Dr. Stephan Sharp, who leads a vaccine trial site at Clinical Research Associates in Nashville. He recently held a Facebook event with Kurdish young professionals.
“We want folks from all different ethnic backgrounds. because it’s possible that the vaccine works better in one group or lesser in another group, and the only way to find out is to test it,” he said.
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