In Florida, the only Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial, run by Dr. Salma Elfaki, for children ages 12-17 is at the Nona Pediatric Center.
“When we’re doing clinical trials, the safety of our patients is number one,” Dr. Elfaki told WFTV9.
Being the only site in Florida offering COVID-19 vaccine trials with Moderna, the waitlist is long. Currently, WFTV reported there are already over 400 children signed up for the trial, but more children are still encouraged to fill out the form to register and see if they are eligible for the trial.
The study will help determine whether the vaccine’s level of protection from COVID-19 offered to adults is the same for children and what, if any, side effects children may produce that differ from adults. Moderna’s two-dose vaccine efficacy was shown in trials to be 94.1%, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The most common side effects in adults who have had the Moderna vaccine are pain, swelling, redness in the arm in the administration site, chills, tiredness, and a headache all over the body, according to the CDC. These side effects in adults typically began within a day or two of getting vaccinated; however, they should be temporary.
The trial is also being conducted in a format where the participants do not know if they will be receiving the Moderna vaccine or a placebo. Children participating in the trial who do not get the placebo will get the same two-dose vaccine currently being administered to adults. The children participating in the trial have a 67% chance of getting the real Moderna vaccine over the placebo, Dr. Elfaki told WFTV9.
The study is being conducted through Accel Research Sites, and they are still accepting children whose parents allow them to participate in the trial. To find out if your child is eligible to participate, complete the Accel Research Sites COVID-19 Clinical Trial participation form online at https://accelresearchsites.com/covid-19-clinical-trials/. On the form, you must enter your Zip Code, which can also help match you to other studies. Anyone across Florida can sign up.
