UMass Medical School is enrolling teenagers in a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine in minors.
The test, which starts at the beginning of next month, will be the first time that the injection will be tested in children under 18 years.
Cambridge-based biotechnology company Moderna expects to have 3,000 participants between the ages of 12 and 17 tested at locations across the country, including UMass Medical in Worcester. The study will take just over a year and includes six visits to the clinic. Two-thirds of the participants will receive the vaccine, while the rest will receive a placebo.
UMass researchers say they are trying to recruit participants from across the community, especially with a focus on minority groups that have suffered the greatest impact from the virus.
Moderna’s vaccine is currently authorized for adults aged 18 and over, while Pfizer is authorized for people aged 16 and over. Pfizer is running a similar test for those between 12 and 15 years old.
Teenagers and their families can check whether they are eligible for the test and learn more at TeenCOVEStudy.com.
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