Importance of Pediatric Studies in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Development

Vaccination efforts against COVID-19 must include the pediatric population, not only to protect children and their families from the virus, but also to support a safe return to in-person schooling. Given the novel methodologies and targets used in the COVID-19 vaccines and the potential for multisystem inflammatory syndrome-children, it is insufficient to extrapolate safety and efficacy data between different vaccine candidates or from adult studies. Adequate enrollment in pediatric studies for COVID-19 vaccines is crucial. The Pediatric Pharmacy Association supports continued research, surveillance, and transparency for COVID-19 vaccines in the pediatric population, including those younger than 12 years of age.