Moderna says its COVID vaccine is 'highly effective' in teens

Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is "highly effective" in adolescents aged 12 to 17.

BBC News reports no cases of COVID-19 were seen in a trial involving 3,732 young volunteers who received two doses of the vaccine, compared to four cases in controls who had placebo injections.

Moderna says it will soon submit the data to regulators globally to seek approval for use in teens.

The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for use in US adolescents.

BBC News reports the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is authorised for use in those aged over 16, is also being tested in children under 12, with the aim of involving babies from just six months old.

Moderna's vaccine is currently authorised for people 18 and older.